Examples of Recent Cases
Father Killed by Truck. Black & Ciment represented the teenage children of a local engineer who was killed when a truck driver pulled into his lane from the side of the road without looking. Black & Ciment was retained by the children just hours before a settlement meeting was to take place with the truck driver’s insurance company. Mr. Black appeared at the settlement meeting and rejected the $400,000 settlement offer made by the insurance company. The case later settled for almost $2 million present value, with a structured settlement providing payments over the plaintiffs’ lifetimes of close to $4 million.
Young Mother Struck and Killed in Crosswalk by Elderly SUV Driver. Black & Ciment represented the 6 year old son and 2 year old daughter of a young immigrant woman who was struck and killed in a crosswalk by an elderly woman driving an SUV. Even though the driver had limited insurance available, the case settled for well over a million dollars, with the defendant contributing money above her insurance policy limits.
Motorcyclist Almost Killed by Former Judge Convicted of Felony Drunk Driving. Black & Ciment represented a motorcyclist who was seriously injured when a former Superior Court judge, later convicted of felony DUI in the accident, turned left into the motorcyclist’s path. The case settled for a confidential amount in excess of $1 million.
Wrong Prescription by Pharmacy Causes Stroke. Black & Ciment represented an elderly man who was given an antacid instead of his blood thinning medication by a large chain drugstore. Because he relied on the wrong prescription to protect him from stroke, he suffered a serious stroke. Black & Ciment obtained almost $1 million in settlement for the man.
Teenager Molested by Priest. Black & Ciment was a part of the historic $660 million settlement against the Archdiocese of Los Angeles arising out of our representation of a plaintiff who was molested by a priest when he was an adolescent. Black & Ciment obtained well more than $1 million in settlement for the plaintiff.
Missed Cancer Diagnosis Causes Nurse’s Death. Black & Ciment represented the family of a nurse whose doctor failed to diagnose a suspicious tumor. Large confidential settlement obtained.
Insurance Company Forced to Pay $800,000 on Claim it Could Have Settled for $15,000. Black & Ciment was asked to take over a case by a family’s previous attorney who had demanded $15,000 (the maximum policy limits of the defendant’s automobile insurance) to settle a wrongful death case against a drunk driver. The insurance company denied the claim improperly, and Black & Ciment withdrew the $15,000 demand to settle made by the previous attorney, filed suit, and ultimately obtained an $800,000 settlement of the claim from the insurance company, when the defendant only had $15,000 in coverage.
Young Man Broadsided by Cadillac Running Red Light on Videotape. Black & Ciment represented a young man who suffered serious injuries when he was broadsided by a Cadillac which ran a red light, all on videotape. The case settled for close to $1 million.
Man Rear-ended Needs Neck Surgery. A man who was rear-ended required neck surgery. Black & Ciment obtained a $250,000 settlement for him.
Motorcyclist Loses Leg When Truck Turns in Front of Him. Black & Ciment recently settled the case of an innocent motorcyclist who lost a leg when a pick up truck turned left in front of him. Though the truck carried low insurance limits, through investigation Black & Ciment was able to establish that the other driver was in the course and scope of employment, thus involving his employer’s large insurance policy. Black & Ciment was able to obtain a seven figure settlement for the injured motorcyclist.