Personal Injury Cases

DOG BITE CASES

Client (minor) v. Defendant (Iowa 2015)

Facts: A minor was with his family at a house in Northeast Iowa. Unbeknownst to the family and the minor, the homeowner’s dog had been known to be unpredictable around children. The dog bit the minor on the face, causing scarring on the face in multiple locations. Suit was filed on behalf of the minor against the dog owner under Iowa’s dog owner statute.

Settlement: The claims were settled globally for a confidential amount, which was approved by a judge.

PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT

Client v. Defendant (Iowa 2015)

Facts: Client was involved in a motor vehicle accident when she was hit by a driver of a truck who was leaving a house. Client sustained a significant pelvic fracture. Suit was filed on behalf of the client in a rural Iowa county.

Settlement: The case was submitted to mediation where the case was settled for a confidential, multiple six-figure amount.

Client v. Defendant (Iowa 2014)

Facts: Beattie Law Firm’s client was leaving work at a local Des Moines store. While crossing in the crosswalk, she was struck by a young woman who claimed she did not see her. The case was defended on comparative fault and disputed damages.

Settlement: The case was settled at mediation for $45,000.

Estate v. Defendant (Iowa 2014)

Facts: Beattie Law Firm represented an estate of a gentleman who was killed when he was a pedestrian on a rural road in Central Iowa.

Settlement: The case was settled for a confidential amount.

NECK, BACK, AND SPINE INJURY

Clients v. Defendants (Iowa 2012)

Facts: Our client suffered a burst fracture in his back when he fell nearly thirty feet from a roof while performing maintenance services for his employer. A lawsuit was filed against the building owner and the design and construction professionals who had recently designed and built the new facility. During the course of the lawsuit, it was discovered by Beattie Law Firm that the new building was designed and constructed in violation of applicable building codes and industry standards. The building codes required a guardrail to be placed where our client fell, but unfortunately, it was left out of the design and construction of the facility.

Settlement: Trial was scheduled to begin in Story County. With the prospective jurors sitting in the courtroom, the defendants collectively settled the case for a substantial multiple seven-figure amount close to $3 million.

Client v. General Motors (Iowa 2008)

Facts: Beattie Law represented a man who was rendered a paraplegic when the seat back in his General Motors-manufactured vehicle failed. Our client was on his way home from a University of Iowa football game when the car he was a passenger in was rear-ended at low speed. He was thrown backwards into the rear seat, breaking his neck, when the seat back broke.

Settlement: Beattie Law Firm obtained a confidential seven-figure settlement for the client.

Client v. Defendants (Iowa 2015)

Facts: Client was involved in two separate car accidents within the same year. Suit was filed against both accidents. Client had roughly $6,000 in medical bills for treatment to his upper back and neck. The case was defended on pre-existing conditions, intervening cause, and disputed damages.

Settlement: The claims were settled globally for $85,000.

Clients (minors) v. Defendants (Iowa 2015)

Facts: Beattie Law Firm represented a family of four siblings who were all injured in a car accident on a road in rural, Southwest Iowa. Injuries included neck, back, and other scrapes and cuts. Claims were brought against the responsible driver and underinsured insurance carrier. The claims were defended on disputed fault and nature and extent of damages.

Settlement: The claims settled prior to trial against both the responsible driver and the underinsured carrier.

Client v. Defendant (Iowa 2015)

Facts: Beattie Law Firm represented a woman who was involved in an accident near her home. Claims were brought against the responsible driver and underinsured insurance carrier. The client suffered injuries to her back. The claims were defended on a theory that the accident did not cause the client’s injuries and disputing the extent of the injuries.

Settlement: The driver’s insurance policy paid policy limits of $100,000. The claim for underinsured benefits remains pending.

Client v. Defendant (Iowa 2015)

Facts: Beattie Law Firm represented a nice gentleman from Des Moines who was injured after being rear-ended by another vehicle in Polk County. The client had surgery on his lower back to help alleviate leg numbness and tingling sensations. The case was defended on a theory that the client’s injuries were not as significant as alleged or caused by the accident.

Settlement: The case went to mediation, but negotiations stalled. The case settled for $245,000, which represented more than $100,000 more than offered at mediation.

Client v. Defendants (Iowa 2015)

Facts: Client was involved in two car accidents within two years of each other. Client claimed injury to his neck and low back. The defendants disputed that they caused the client’s injuries as well as the extent of his injuries.

Settlement: The case was settled for a confidential amount.

Client v. Defendant (Iowa 2015)

Facts: Beattie Law Firm represented a Southern Iowa gentleman who was injured in a car accident. He suffered injury to his neck.

Settlement: The case was settled prior to filing a lawsuit for roughly 4 times the client’s medical expenses.

Client v. Defendant (Iowa 2014)

Facts: Beattie Law Firm represented a gentleman who was involved in an accident on a highway in Marion County. The defendant denied responsibility, blaming a sudden emergency and no negligence due to the sun. Beattie Law Firm had a professional photographer take photographs at the time and location of the accident on the anniversary to show the location of the sun at the time of the accident, which disproved the sun in the eye defense.

Settlement: The case went to mediation and settled for $125,000.

BUSINESS LITIGATION

Client v. Employer (Iowa 2006)

Facts: Beattie Law Firm represented client in a breach of employment contract dispute in Jefferson County. Client had an employment contract to obtain shared control with two other men. The employment contract was breached by the employer.

Settlement: Beattie Law Firm reached a confidential six-figure settlement for the client.

Client v. Defendant (Iowa 2004)

Facts: Beattie Law Firm represented a local company in a detrimental reliance and misrepresentation case.

Settlement: Beattie Law Firm reached a substantial confidential settlement prior to trial.

PREMISES/FALL LIABILITY

Client v. Defendant (Iowa 2009)

Facts: Client was asked by his friend to help move from a rental property the defendant owned. The property was in bad condition, and the client was injured when he stepped on the steps leading into the property.

Settlement: Beattie Law Firm obtained a settlement on the eve of trial for the client.

Client v. Defendant (Iowa 2009)

Facts: An HVAC worker was called out to a house to perform a repair. The weather conditions in the days prior had not been favorable. The client slipped on ice when entering the house.

Settlement: Beattie Law Firm obtained a significant settlement on behalf of the client.

Client v. Defendant (Iowa 2008)

Facts: A 67-year-old woman slipped and fell on a wet substance at a restaurant while exiting the store. She suffered a fractured patella. Defendant defended the case by asserting due care because yellow warning codes were present in a different location and comparative fault because our client was leaving the store.

Settlement: Beattie Law Firm obtained a confidential six-figure settlement.

Client v. Apartment Complex (Iowa 2008)

Facts: A 76-year-old woman slipped and fell on ice outside of her apartment complex in Northeast Iowa. She suffered a torn rotator cuff in the fall. The apartment complex failed to remove ice that had been on the sidewalk for many days. Defendant defended the case by asserting due care and comparative fault.

Settlement: Beattie Law Firm obtained a settlement in the amount of $63,500 on behalf of its client.

Client v. Davenport Casino (Iowa 2008)

Facts: A young man suffered a torn rotator cuff when he slipped and fell on mud that had accumulated on the sidewalk during the grand opening of a Davenport casino. The fall was caught on video. The video showed that the mud was hidden by the shade from an overhang.

Verdict: Settlement was reached against numerous defendants prior to trial. The remaining defendant was taken to trial in Scott County. The jury returned a verdict in favor of Beattie Law Firm’s client, assessing damages at $163,000.

Varner v. Hy-Vee, et. al. (Iowa 2008 Trial)

Facts: The client of Beattie Law Firm slipped and fell on a wet floor at Hy-Vee in Des Moines. She suffered a broken knee. The floor had just been cleaned and polished moments before her fall, but no warning of the wet floor was present. Claims were filed against the cleaning company and Hy-Vee.

Verdict: The cleaning company settled prior to trial for $25,000. Beattie Law Firm went to trial against Hy-Vee and obtained a verdict in favor of its client. The Polk County jury assessed damages at $45,000+.

Davenport v. Defendant (Iowa 2005)

Facts: Mr. Davenport slipped and fell in a movie theatre, hitting his head on the ground. He suffered a permanent head injury.

Settlement: Beattie Law Firm secured a settlement of $300,000 on behalf of its client.

Bangs v. Pioneer Janitorial of Ames, Inc. (Iowa 1999 Trial)

Facts: The client of Beattie Law Firm was a K-Mart employee. Pioneer Janitorial was the janitorial service hired by K-Mart to clean the premises. Before store hours, Ms. Bangs walked down an aisle that had just been cleaned and waxed by Pioneer Janitorial. No warning sign had been posted by Pioneer Janitorial. Ms. Bangs fractured her hip in the fall.

Verdict: The case was tried to a Story County jury. The jury returned a verdict of $200,000+. The case was appealed by Pioneer Janitorial and overturned by the Iowa Supreme Court. On retrial, a Story County jury once again returned a verdict of $200,000+ to the client of Beattie Law Firm.

SPORTS INJURIES

Client v. Golf Course, et. al. (Iowa 2007 Trial)

Facts: An 18-year-old worker was out for a weekend golf outing with his employer at a golf course in Polk County. The golf course arranged the golf carts so that they were all in front of the tee box. Client was told to sit in his cart while other foursomes teed off. An avid golfer shanked a drive left and hit client in the eye. The client’s eye could not be saved.

Settlement: Three days into the trial the case settled for approximately $500,000.00.

GENERAL NEGLIENCE

Client v. Defendants (Iowa 2014)

Facts: While at the state fair, Beattie Law Firm’s client was placed in a chokehold by another person, causing him to lose consciousness and fall to the ground. The defendant offered a small settlement, which the client rejected. Beattie Law Firm filed suit against the defendant, and the case was litigated.

Settlement: The case was settled for a confidential amount prior to trial.

Client v. Defendant (Iowa 2014)

Facts: Beattie Law Firm’s client was a tenant at an apartment complex in Polk County. She was injured while walking up the stairs to another tenant’s apartment. The stairs collapsed, causing her injury.

Settlement: The case was settled for $50,000 against the apartment complex.

Client v. Defendant (Iowa 2014)

Facts: Beattie Law Firm represented a woman who was injured at a local restaurant when she slipped and fell on water that had fallen to the floor from a broken ice machine.

Settlement: The case was settled for $45,000 prior to trial.

Son v. Father (Iowa 2014)

Facts: Beattie Law Firm represented a gentleman who was burned when fugitive propane in an RV was ignited, causing a small explosion. It was learned that the father, who owned the RV, had failed to cap an appliance line, allowing propane to slowly leak into the RV.

Settlement: The case was resolved for a confidential six-figure amount.

Beattie, et. al. v. Todds Ltd. (Iowa 2005)

Facts: Over 100 people were poisoned at a wedding in 2003 when a punch contained poison. Beattie Law Firm represented three of the victims.

Verdict: A Polk County jury returned a verdict in excess of $200,000, which was more than double the defendant’s settlement offer.

INSURANCE BAD FAITH

Client v. Insurance Company (N.D. Iowa 2017)

Facts: Beattie Law Firm represented a farmer who had a claim for additional crop-hail insurance benefits denied by the insurance company. The dispute included claims of breach of contract and breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing a.k.a. “bad faith.” Evidence presented at trial included testimony that the insurance adjusters failed to timely adjust the loss, causing destruction of evidence and that when they did adjust the loss, they failed to look at over half of his acres.

Trial: A Northern Iowa jury returned a verdict in excess of $1.5 million. That amount was reduced by the court on post-verdict motions.

Otto v Ins Co. (Iowa Federal Court 1999)

Facts: Our client was wrongfully denied medical treatment and disability benefits in connection with her work place injury.

Settlement: Beattie Law Firm obtained a confidential multiple six-figure settlement.

PROFESSIONAL MALPRACTICE

Hildreth v. Des Moines Law Firm (Iowa 2008 Trial)

Facts: Mr. Hildreth was injured in an automobile collision in Warren County. He sustained a spinal injury that necessitated just over $7,000 in medical care. Mr. Hildreth hired a Des Moines personal injury attorney to represent him with respect to his claim. The attorney failed to timely file Mr. Hildreth’s lawsuit. Beattie Law Firm represented Mr. Hildreth in his legal malpractice claim against his former attorney.

Verdict: A Polk County jury returned a verdict in excess of $90,000 for Mr. Hildreth.

Veach v. Des Moines Law Firm (Iowa 2007)

Facts: Ms. Veach’s attorney failed to timely file a dram shop notice with respect to her claim stemming from injuries she sustained when a drunk driver drove through the front doors of the dram, hitting Ms. Veach with his vehicle.

Settlement: Beattie Law Firm secured a substantial confidential settlement on behalf of Ms. Veach.

Stubbert v. Law Firm (Illinois 2001)

Facts: Client’s attorney from a prominent Illinois law firm was not qualified to handle a natural gas explosion by failing to recognize certain duties the natural gas utility had regarding inspections and warnings. Natural gas leaked from a recalled flex connector and exploded.

Settlement: Beattie Law Firm obtained a $2,000,000 plus settlement on behalf of its client.

Client v. Law Firm (Iowa 1999)

Facts: The defendant law firm settled a part of the client’s case but failed to reserve the right to continue with the client’s lawsuit against the remaining defendants. Thus, the court dismissed the client’s case against the remaining defendants.

Settlement: Beattie Law Firm secured a $600,000 on behalf of its client.