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Personal Injury
Worksite Accident
Negligence

Richard A. Neves v. Rounds Logging Company

Published: Sep. 17, 2011 | Result Date: May 18, 2011 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: DR100073 Settlement –  $800,000

Court

Humboldt County District


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Michael J. Crowley
(Janssen Malloy LLP)


Defendant

Thomas G. Beatty


Experts

Plaintiff

John Garland
(technical)

William B. Kilgore
(medical)

Mark A. Cohen
(technical)

James C. McGowan
(technical)

Defendant

James W. McCurley
(technical)

Daniel Sullivan
(medical)

Timothy R. Sells
(technical)

Facts

Richard Neves, a log-truck driver, was in the process of hooking up a second trailer to a loaded tractor-trailer filled with redwood logs in a log landing in Humboldt County when David Lockhart, an employee of Rounds Logging Co., lifted the grapples of the heel boom loader causing the trailer hitch attachment to spring up and smash Neves' hand against a redwood log. Neves sued Rounds Logging Co. for Lockhart's negligence. The company conceded 100 percent liability for Neves' injury and contended no comparative fault on Neves' part.

Damages

Neves' past medical expenses were paid through the compensation insurance fund. His economist opined that his past and future wage loss was between $867,500 and $1,097,000.

Injuries

Neves was taken to the emergency room for treatment. He sustained a crush injury to his dominant right hand. He underwent physical therapy and a carpal tunnel release surgery. He treated with pain and chronic pain medications. He claimed to suffer from chronic pain, loss of grip strength, sensitivity to temperature, swelling and loss of function.

Result

The case settled for $800,000, after mediation with Ken Gack, Esq., of JAMS in San Francisco.


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