Oct. 17, 2013
Robert M. Tessier
See more on Robert M. TessierJudicate West Los Angeles Specialties: personal injury, catastrophic injury, professional negligence, real estate, probate
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"One case, in particular, involved a tragic death of an adult child," he recalled. "That case was never going to settle until the grieving family got the opportunity to address the insurance company representatives directly. I ended up orchestrating that meeting. It gave the family the opportunity to talk about their loss."
This is a common theme in these matters, Tessier said, adding, "I've told the lawyers to get a cup of coffee and sat in a room with the plaintiffs and defendants. There is no talk about the law or legal issues, but a recognition that there is a human being involved in the process."
This approach brings results, Tessier said.
"If you treat these as sterile cases, lines on paper with ink, it fails to capture what the case is about," he added.
In another matter involving the death of a pedestrian, "It was very important for the family of the decedent to talk to the young man who was driving," Tessier said. "There was an amazing moment of forgiveness."
As for how the legal landscape is shaping up these days, Tessier said the ruling handed down by the state Supreme Court in 2011 involving the closely watched Howell v. Hamilton Meats & Provisions Inc. case is affecting the valuation of cases.
The court ruled that personal injury plaintiffs aren't entitled to recover fully the amount of their medical bills if their insurers paid only a smaller negotiated amount.
"It's been about two years since Howell, and we need to get through enough jury verdicts to see how it will impact what juries do with these cases," Tessier said.
- Pat Broderick
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