Over $500 Million
recovered

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

Client was given morphine to take home after gall bladder surgery. Plaintiff died to the fact he was allergic to morphine.

Our client was the driver of a motorcycle when the defendant stopped suddenly causing the collision. Our client suffered a severely broken leg. Our client has permanent leg injuries and may require future treatment. Suit was filed because the insurance carrier would not respond timely to our demand. Suit was filed in Prince William County Circuit Court. After suit was filed and opposing counsel was assigned a mediation was scheduled. Treatment: 2 Surgeries to repair broken leg. Hospitalized multiple times. James River Insurance settled at mediation for $360,000. Medical expenses of $100,000 were paid outside of the settlement by health insurance and were not deducted from the recovery.

Rear-end accident where our client was hit in her work vehicle while stopped at a red light in Loudoun County, Virginia. Client suffered injuries to her neck, back, and right shoulder, with the neck and shoulder requiring surgery. Client was not able to work after the accident due to a permanent shoulder injury. Suit was filed because our client’s medical expenses and lost wages exceeded the Defendant’s insurance policy and no offer of settlement was made. Suit was filed in Loudoun County Circuit Court. No offer was made until after depositions were completed. The case was mediated before a retired Supreme Court of Virginia Judge and settled just weeks before trial. A workers’ compensation lien of almost $500,000.00 was negotiated and reduced at the same time as counsel for the Plaintiff worked with both defense attorneys to resolve the claim.

Our client was driving on Clarksville Pike, Route 108. Defendant crossed over the double yellow line and struck her car head on. Our client experienced chest, back, and head pain.

She was rushed to University of Maryland Shock Trauma. Diagnosis was “sternal fracture” and back pain. Her back pain continued thereafter necessitating a L5 laminectomy.

Medicals totaled approximately $122,000. The carrier argued that the back injury was in part pre-existing. Mr. Portner and Grace were able to settle the claim for $350,000.

Client was traveling straight through a green light on Canal Road. The defendant was traveling in the opposite direction on Canal Road. He failed to yield the right of way while making a left turn and struck client's vehicle on the passenger side.

• Injuries: internal bleeding, 4 cm serosal tear in the distal transverse colon.
• Treatment: 2 surgeries to patch and repair the tear. Remained hospitalized for 4 days.
• Insurance: State Farm

Plaintiff was 31 weeks pregnant and presented to the hospital with concerns that her water broke. She was informed by the staff that everything looked fine with the baby, she was released and sent home. The next morning, she presented back to labor and delivery indicating no movement with the baby. Mr. Portner contended that if a sonogram had been done the day before the baby would have been delivered healthy at that time. The case settled for $400,000.

Maryland Medical Malpractice Settled Prior to Trial for $400,000

Our client was traveling eastbound on Route 7 near the intersection with Battlefield Parkway. Our client was rear-ended and sustained several broken ribs, a fractured sternum, as well as a serious concussion. The concussion resulted in memory loss. The liability carrier was USAA. The carrier contended that the memory loss was in part pre-existing to our 70-year-old client. With the threat of litigation, the case was resolved for the policy limits of $400,000 by Mr. Portner. All medicals were paid by health insurance and under Virginia law, the carrier had no right to subrogation.

Our client was rearended in a moderate impact. She did not go to the hospital due to COVID concerns (D/A 12/18/2019). Thereafter, she experienced worsening back pain.

Our clients condition worsening condition necessitated spine fusion at L4 and L5 at Fauquier Hospital. Allstate was not convinced the need for surgery was caused by the accident. Suit was filed in Warren County Circuit Court. The case recently resolved before trial for $400,000.

In this case, our client was lawfully crossing the street, at an intersection with a signal, when the Defendant failed to yield and struck him. He was taken immediately by ambulance and suffered a broken leg and eight broken bones. Our client still has difficulty walking and bending. The insurance company initially offered $225,000, claiming that was their best offer. After arguing that our client’s condition was permanent, Nationwide moved to $275,000. After additional information about how our client still has difficulty walking and bending, Nationwide offered $295,000, which was nearly the policy limit of $ 400,000.