Law Offices of John J. LaCava, LLC

$24.5M

Medical Malpractice

The birth of a child is one of the highlights of the life of any family. So it seems particularly tragic that a mother bled to death in a Florida clinic a few hours after giving birth to her fourth child in 2015. The family is still picking up the pieces, but a jury in the 17th Circuit Court in Fort Lauderdale has made their lives a little easier by awarding them $24.5 million. The award divides the cash between the father and the four children. The basis of the finding after a two-day trial was medical malpractice by four doctors and the clinic. To the credit of the medical staff, the doctors admitted causation and negligence in court. Unfortunately, their attorney was not so compassionate, complaining that the settlement, which was just over half of $41 million the family was looking for, should have been closer to $4 million. Fortunately, the jury did not agree.

$2.5M

Dram Shop Liability

Family members of a victim who died in an alleged drunk driving wreck have filed dram shop suits against five local bars that served alcohol to the at-fault driver. The Connecticut family filed the suit in late April, and they are seeking compensation from five bars in Norwalk, Westport and Fairfield. These establishments could be held liable for as much as $250,000 in damages because of their relationship to the drunk driving accident. Authorities say that the 25-year-old victim was driving with a friend when that person crashed his vehicle in September 2013. The victim suffered catastrophic injuries during the car accident. He eventually slipped into a coma and died after the collision. The at-fault driver was apparently speeding and had an alarming blood alcohol level of 0.239 percent. That is nearly three times the legal limit of 0.08 percent. That man is facing a variety of criminal allegations in connection with the accident; his next appearance in court is slated for late May. The victim’s father in this case alleges that the operators at the bars continued to serve the man even though he was obviously intoxicated. Family members allege that not only did the at-fault driver have a previous drunk driving conviction, but he also was known to drink alcohol to excess. Attorneys in the case say they are seeking massive damages for the family because of the expensive medical care required for the victim, who suffered horrifying injuries. A lawsuit filed against the driver and his father has already been settled.

$2M

Slip and Fall Accident

The plaintiff was renting a room on the second floor of a multi-family house. The landlord had removed a handrail on the common stairway leading from the plaintiff’s room to the ground floor. The plaintiff fell on the stairway and suffered a severe head injury requiring surgery and extended hospitalization.

$1.1M

Auto Accident

The Plaintiff was a fifty (50) year old female who worked in the sales department of a Stamford electrical supplier. She was rear ended by the Defendant in a moderate impact collision. The Plaintiff had physical therapy and then a disc operation on the lumbar spine. Subsequent to the surgery, she had chronic, documented pain which rendered her incapable of further work.

$1M

Bicycle Accident

The Plaintiff, a 10 year- old boy, was injured in a bicycle accident in Norwalk when struck by Defendants car. The evidence showed that the Defendant was traveling at a high rate of speed through a park and had clear sight lines. The evidence also showed that the boy failed to slow or stop prior to crossing the street.

$1M

Motorcycle Accident

A husband and wife were riding on a motorcycle in Shelton when the defendant made a sudden left turning front of them, causing a direct impact with the bike. The actual accident was not witnessed, and liability had to be established from skid mark analysis and an accident reconstruction expert. Hearings were held over six days with plaintiff co-counsel representing the husband’s estate.