Over $500 Million
recovered

Wrongful death action arising from a collision on March 25, 2019, in Washington County, Maryland. Plaintiff was traveling westbound on Boonsboro Pike near its intersection with Mill Point Road. Defendant B, had a stop sign at the intersection. B failed to stop and a horrific collision ensued.

Cell phone and vehicle module data records obtained during discovery revealed that Defendant B failed to stop because he was not paying attention and was possibly on the phone. Plaintiff was killed in the crash. His estate pursued a non-economic damages for over sixty hours of pain and suffering that the decedent experienced between the collision and his death.

Plaintiff’s wife also made a claim for (a) loss of companionship; married over 40 years, and (b) loss of support; c) and mental anguish.

Plaintiff’s daughter and son made a claim for loss of companionship and support (visited at work on lunch or talked on a daily basis, breaks and on weekends), as well as mental anguish.

Defendant was represented by counsel for Erie Insurance Company. Defendant argued that prior to the collision Defendant was 73 years old. He was a daily smoker with a serious heart condition. As a result, Defendant argued it was unlikely that a Washington County jury would award more than $500,000.

Simran Rahi and Mr. Portner disagreed and argued that Plaintiff was responsible regardless and that a jury would sympathize with the family. The case settled at mediation for $750,000.

Fairfax County car accident claim, wrongful death. No offer prior to our filing a lawsuit. Client was a passenger. The claim was presented again Virginia Department of Transportation and a private contractor for not properly marking a work zone. As a result of the negligent placing of the cones, the driver of our vehicle hit a barrier wall killing the passenger, our client. Defense claimed the driver of the vehicle in which our client was a passenger was intoxicated and was contributory negligent. The Defense further alleged that our client, the passenger, was aware of the driver's intoxication and was therefore also contributory negligent. Given the horrendous nature of the accident and the fatalities involved, the defendants agreed to settle the claim before a trial in front of a jury.

Claim against James River Insurance Company (Uber). Alexandria Virginia accident claim. Client sustained an elbow fracture and multiple rib fractures. Elbow injury required surgery. Medical bills totaled $150,000. There was minimal permanency. Again, Mr. Portner was able to argue that the client’s daily activities were still adversely affected by the elbow injury and would continue to be.

Claim against Nationwide Insurance Company. Chantilly, Virginia accident claim. Numerous fractures along with high hospital bills. Client refused to accept anything less than the full policy. Ultimately Nationwide agreed and settled for the full available coverage.

Our clients were approaching an intersection when the defendants failed to yield the right of way and T-boned our vehicle occupied by a husband, wife, and child. The driver sustained a hip fracture which required surgery. The total available insurance coverage was $250,000 with State Farm. Mr. Portner was able to obtain the entire amount of coverage and resolve the lien issues so no outstanding medicals came out of the recovery.

Her husband, a front seat passenger, sustained multiple fractures and his case resolved for $156,000 with no medicals deducted from his net recovery.

This case involved a Harford County car accident claim. Our client was operating her vehicle when the other party crossed the double yellow lines on Route 1 and struck her vehicle. This strong impact caused her vehicle to spin out of control and she was struck again on the passenger side by another vehicle.

The at-fault party was cited for Driving While Impaired by Alcohol and was subsequently placed on supervised probation.

As a result of this collision, our client suffered fractures of her pelvis, left tibia and multiple ribs. She also suffered a liver laceration and ankle laceration. Multiple surgeries were required, and our client remained hospitalized in the intensive care unit for 3 weeks.

Given the egregious nature of the accident and the resulting damages, the defendant agreed to settle the claim for close to the policy limit of $500,000. In negotiating, our firm had to persuade another claimant that her recovery from the available coverage was minimal. Further, Medicare and insurance liens were drastically reduced.

Motorcycle accident where our client was the motorcyclist and the Defendant made an illegal left turn directly in front of him. Client suffered broken bones in his foot and required surgery. Suit was filed because treatment was going to extend past the statute of limitations. Suit was filed in Fairfax County Circuit Court. After suit was filed and depositions were taken, liability was accepted by the primary insurer and their coverage extended. At the same time, the underinsured motorist coverage made no additional settlement offers. After a review of independent medical examinations and proposed testimony of plaintiff’s experts, the defense attorney resumed negotiations just weeks before trial. At that point, a settlement agreement was reached.

Fairfax County, Virginia accident wherein the client sustained disc herniations at L4 and L5 requiring surgery. Medicals totaled $90,000. Mr. Portner argued future lost wages amounted to several years of lost income. Carrier initially disagreed. Case settled after Mr. Portner had the suit filed and the defendant was served.

We were able to settle this slip and fall case in Loudon County Virginia against a national telecommunications provider after mediation. No offer was provided pre-suit. After extensive discovery, including, party, corporate, and physician depositions, this case was settled two weeks after the mediation for $400,000. At mediation, we argued that our client was not contributorily negligent and that the telecommunications provider breached the standard of care.

On November 15, 2008, the Plaintiff was carefully walking down the steps at or near the main entryway to the apartment building located at 9923 Good Luck Road, Lanham, Maryland 20706, when she stepped to the right to avoid stepping in a puddle and fell over the ledge leading to the lower level apartment's balcony. The Plaintiff alleged that her fall occurred because the Defendants failed to place a railing in between the walkway and the drop off to the lower level balcony. The Plaintiff suffered from significant injuries to her right knee, requiring surgery.

Defendant filed numerous motions to strike the Plaintiff's case, maintaining that there was insufficient evidence to reflect that they had done anything wrong. They claimed that because the building was over 50 years old at the time of the fall a lack of a railing did not violate the Prince George's County Building Code and that even if there was a current violation, that they were "grandfathered" in. The Prince George's County Circuit Court Judge, denied their Motions, and the case proceeded to trial.

At trial, Plaintiff presented evidence that a railing was required, and that because the apartment management company had done retro-fit work on the apartment, just months before the Plaintiff's fall, that the "grandfathering" argument was not applicable. Furthermore, the Plaintiff presented evidence that the area where the Plaintiff fell was inherently dangerous and needed to be corrected.

After deliberation, the Jury awarded the Plaintiff $366,000.00 in damages.

• Defendant: The Donaldson Group
• Special Damages: $91,720.00