The Novak Law Firm, P.C.

$6M

Motor Vehicle Accident

Plaintiff DM, a 47-year-old financial planner, was in a crosswalk crossing at the intersection of the 1-5 freeway ramp and Newport Beach in Tustin. He was struck by a full-size pickup truck that was being driven by Rexal Ford, after Ford made a right turn from a red light onto the ramp. The plaintiff sued Ford and his employer, Econolite Traffic Engineering and Maintenance Inc. alleging motor vehicle negligence. The defendants did not contest liability but claimed that the sun was in Ford’s eyes at the time of the accident. The plaintiff claimed he suffered a traumatic brain injury; fractured right humerus, left clavicle, left wrist, and bilateral shoulder fractures. The plaintiff had a pre-existing blood disorder and pre-existing strokes. The defendant alleged that plaintiff’s traumatic brain injury was pre-existing and not caused by the accident.

$5.8M

Product Liability

In April 2005, Rama Katwaroo used a “healing lamp” he had purchased online from the defunct healinglamp.com website. The self-proclaimed healing lamp was supposed to relieve a foot ailment, but instead caused a severe burn to Katwaroo’s foot that forced part of his foot to be amputated. On a products liability theory, Katwaroo sued the manufacturer, marketers, distributors, and owners of the healing lamp.

$1.3M

Business Litigation

Defendant William Slattery fraudulently and materially breached the terms of an Asset Purchase Agreement that he entered into with the Plaintiff on or about March 7, 2008. The key terms of the Agreement provided that defendant would sell to Plaintiff his existing business, client list, goodwill, and other assets in exchange for the purchase price of $968,229.90. Immediately following close of the sale, defendant began stealing clients and funds from Plaintiff in violation of the terms of the contract and an express non-compete agreement. Defendant was alleged to have misappropriated in excess of $400,000.00 in funds from Plaintiff, and diverted a portfolio of business valued at in excess of $500,000.00.

$1.3M

Health Insurance Denial

In November 2003, Doe was diagnosed with cancer. Soon after, she was denied treatment coverage by her provider. Doe sued her provider for bad faith. Her 55-year-old husband was also named as a plaintiff. The defendant provider claimed Doe misrepresented her weight when she filled out her application and as a result, her treatment was voided from coverage. The plaintiffs counsel countered that even if Doe misrepresented her weight, it did not preclude her from vitally needed coverage. Doe claimed she needed surgeries and chemotherapy treatment as a result of her cancer diagnosis. She claimed medical costs were $850,000.

$632,000

Motor Vehicle Accident

On April 17, 2008, two African-American males were driving in a 1997 Pontiac Grand Am on the 710 North freeway near Long Beach when they were cut off by a phantom green car. They didn’t hit the car in front of them but were rear-ended by a tractor trailer. The property damage was about $5,000. The driver suffered injuries to his neck, back and ankle. The passenger had a non-displaced fracture at the C-2 vertebrae with no surgery. The total meds were around $100,000. Both plaintiffs had significant pre-existing injuries. Additionally, the driver had three felony convictions. The defendant contended it was a “staged accident” and that the plaintiffs intentionally caused the accident (the defense pre-trial 998 offer was a waiver of costs).