Below is a list of selected case results obtained on cases where Lakeland Personal Injury Attorney Christopher D. Russo worked either individually or in conjunction with previous employers.
$9,500,000.00 Medical Malpractice - Persistent Vegetative State
A woman in her late twenties was taken by ambulance to an emergency room with symptoms of headaches, weakness, confusion, and dizziness. These were classic signs of a stroke. The hospital performed a brain CT that ruled out a hemorrhagic stroke but not an ischemic stroke. The physician admitted her to a room without further diagnostic treatment and without a final diagnosis. Thereafter, her condition continued to deteriorate over the course of the night until a neurologist performed an examination the following morning. At that time, the damage from the ischemic stroke was irreversible resulting in a persistent vegetative state.
Motor Vehicle Accident Settled Over $8 Million
A motor vehicle accident was settled for over $8 million.
$3,050,000.00 Medical Malpractice – Paralysis from Delay in Treating Epidural Abscess
A man was taken by ambulance to an emergency room with complaints of leg weakness and numbness. The emergency room was a standalone unit and was not attached to a hospital. The emergency room physician correctly identified a neurological issue and transferred the patient to the nearest hospital, however, he failed to make his orders for an MRI and neurological consultation STAT or urgent. After transfer to the hospital and despite further neurological deterioration to the point where bladder function was lost, the MRI's and resulting surgery were performed too late to preserve neurological function resulting in permanent paralysis from the waist down.
$2,500,000.00 Motorcycle Accident
A man and his significant other were seriously injured when they were struck by a car making a left turn at night. The case involved a significant reduction of a health insurance lien in addition recovery of policy limits from the at-fault driver and owner.
Six-Figure Recovery Truck Accident – Wrongful Death
Three teenagers died a result of a collision with a semi-truck as they pulled out from a gas station. The collision occurred at night on a rural highway with no street lights for miles around. The driver of the truck claimed that all of his lights were functional and were working. During the investigation, the headlight switch to the truck was found to be in the off position. A confidential six-figure recovery was made on behalf of our client's parents.
$800,000.00 Truck Accident - Semi-Truck Accident
A truck driver stopped to assist another driver with a flat tire. The truck driver was killed as a result of a glancing type impact from another semi-truck as he was getting back in the cab of his semi-truck. The company that owned the semi-truck claimed that the other truck was illegally parked along side the road even though he was assisting another trucker. A significant six-figure recovery was obtained for the survivors.
$500,000.00 Car Accident – Leg Amputation
A man suffered a leg injury resulting in amputation as a result of a head on collision with an uninsured vehicle. A lawsuit was filed and the driver of the uninsured vehicle claimed that the collision was caused by a semi-truck that was blocking the roadway while executing an improper turn. There was no impact with the semi-truck and the semi-truck left the scene of the collision without being identified. The owner of the semi-truck was later revealed by a neighbor who noticed trucks regularly being parked on nearby property. A significant six-figure recovery was made on behalf of the client.
$250,000.00 Car Accident -– Jaw Fracture – Liability and UM from the Same Policy
A teenager suffered a severe jaw fracture requiring reconstructive surgery as a result of a severe collision at an intersection. The teenager was a passenger. Both drivers in the collision shared some degree of comparative fault for collision. Policy limits were offered by both insurance companies to resolve the matter. Notwithstanding the offer of policy limits, additional funds were available in the form of uninsured motorist's coverage from the policy covering the vehicle that the teenager was riding in as a passenger. A lawsuit was filed and the insurance company conceded the UM coverage due under the policy because UM coverage and liability coverage on the same policy can be paid in some circumstances when there is comparative fault.
$225,000.00 Car Accident - Ankle Fracture – Excess Underinsured Motorist Coverage
A man suffered a severe ankle fracture as a result of a car accident while pulling a boat trailer. He was a passenger in a vehicle when it was struck by another vehicle that ran a red light. Three separate insurance policies were involved. A recovery for collective policy limits was obtained.
Six-Figure Recovery Car Accident - Neck Surgery
A woman was rear-ended in a car accident and was required to undergo neck surgery. During the recovery, she suffered a dangerous blood clot resulting in a lengthy hospital stay and continued use of blood thinning medication. A six-figure recovery was made for the client.
Six-Figure Recovery Car Accident - Rotator Cuff Surgery
A man was rear-ended suffering back and shoulder injuries. Upon receiving medical treatment and an MRI, a rotator cuff tear was diagnosed requiring surgery. A six-figure recovery was obtained on behalf of the client.
Six-Figure Recovery Car Accident - TMJ Surgery
A woman was rear-ended suffering whiplash and swelling to her neck. Upon receiving medical treatment, a TMJ disorder was discovered requiring surgery. A six-figure recovery was obtained on behalf of the client.
Six-Figure Recovery Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
A woman was involved in a severe car accident. She struck her head on the headrest in the vehicle resulting in a mind traumatic brain injury. A six-figure recovery was made on her behalf.
$1,250,000.00 Estate and Trust Litigation
The children of a wealthy man conspired to cut off his current wife (their stepmother) out of his estate and from present income. The issues in the case centered around entitlement to control of trust property and the ability to take income from the trust. After significant litigation, the children reached a settlement with the wife for a seven-figure outright figure. The man became legally incompetent and died near the conclusion of the litigation.
Six-Figure Recovery Car Accident - Knee Surgery
A man suffered a knee injury in a severe car accident requiring surgery. The man was injured as his foot was on the brake pedal causing an unnatural force through his knee. A six-figure recovery was made on behalf of the client.
Six-Figure Recovery Medical Malpractice – Failure to Recognize Pulmonary Embolus –Wrongful Death
A 32 year old woman was suffering from classic symptoms of a deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus when she sought care from her primary care physician. The physician failed to recognize the urgency of her condition and sent her home instead of to a hospital emergency department for urgent care. Shortly after sent home by the physician, she died of the pulmonary embolus. A settlement was reached with the physician and the clinic where the physician was employed.
$250,000.00 Medical Malpractice – Improper Titration of Medication – Wrongful Death
A 21-year-old man on anti-epiletic medication died as a result of being improperly titrated from one medication to another, leaving him essentially without a therapeutic dose of medication to prevent seizures. The transition of medication was performed by a physician assistant without adequate supervision from the physician signing to authorize the prescription. A settlement was reached for policy limits with the prescribing physician for the employee's conduct.
$200,000.00 Homeowner Negligence - Tree Felling Accident
A man suffered eight broken vertebrae when a tree fell as he was assisting his neighbor. The neighbor was legally liable for giving instruction and directing where cuts were to be made. More than one insurance policy was implicated by this incident. A settlement for policy limits was reached.
$800,000.00 Hunting Accident – Joint Venture Liability – Wrongful Death
A man was shot while hunting and was survived by his wife and adult children. The shooter was sued on a theory of joint venture to reach the deep pockets of the hunting club. The shooter owned mineral rights on property that was contributed to the club for purposes of obtaining membership. Full policy limits of the shooter and the club were obtained.
Six-Figure Jury Verdict Golf Car Accident
A man suffered a tibial plateau fracture in a golf cart rollover accident. The injury required surgery and permanent metal hardware. This case went to trial with Mr. Russo as lead counsel and obtained a six-figure verdict from the jury in Polk County, Florida.
Six-Figure Recovery Head on Collision
A woman and her daughter were severely injured when another driver crossed the center line in a no passing zone. The other driver did not survive. The child suffered an orbital injury and a mild traumatic brain injury among other physical injuries requiring significant medical treatment and hospitalization. A six-figure policy limits settlement was reached on her behalf.
Six-Figure Recovery Car Accident
A six-figure recovery was obtained for a woman involved in a car accident resulting in a neck injury and subsequent surgery.
$300,000.00 Car Accident with Injuries to Children
A mother was involved in a serious car accident with her children in the car. The children suffered a range of injuries ranging from moderate to severe. In consideration of the value of the injuries as a whole, a policy limits settlement for $300,000.00 was reached with the insurance company.
Six-Figure Recovery Parking Lot Accident
A woman was involved in a parking lot collision that resulted in an unusually painful neck injury requiring surgery. Even though the collision was of a low speed nature, the forces of the collision were at an angle and likely caused the condition complained of. Two insurance policies were implicated in this case. A settlement for policy limits was reached with both companies totaling $110,000.00.
$125,000.00 Car Accident with Discharged Attorney Lien
A man was involved in a car accident resulting in back pain that caused him to lose his job. The man had retained an attorney in Tampa to represent him and the highest offer received was $25,000.00. The attorney recommended to the client that he accept the offer and the client fired him. After getting involved with this case, Mr. Russo was able to obtain a settlement for $125,000.00. Despite this, the previous attorney claimed a lien against the recovery which was resolved for a reduced amount in litigation.
Six-Figure Recovery High Speed Collision in Classic Car
A man driving a restored classic car was rear-ended on an interstate at highway speed. The man had to be cut free from the vehicle with the jaws of life. He suffered an injury to his low back requiring surgery. A six-figure recovery was made on his behalf.
Please note that this list of cases is not an exhaustive list of all cases handled by our Lakeland personal injury law firm. The results listed were based on facts and circumstances unique to each case. The facts and circumstances of every case are different and may not be an indicator of the outcome of your individual case.
