Case Results
$4.9 Billion
Anderson v General Motors
Defective Products
Largest Individual Products Liability Verdict in History
Christine Spagnoli was integral member of trial team which achieved verdict for clients arising from exploding Defective Gas Tank Resulting in wrongful death and Severe Burn Injuries
$78 Million
Castillo v. Quality Shoring and Scaffold, Inc. (lead case)
Industrial Injuries
Twelve plaintiffs filed suit for an October 2001 roof collapse construction accident. In that accident, some clients plunged 6-stories into a tank filled with rebar, metal and wet concrete, while others were left clinging to rebar, suspended 50 feet above the ground until they were rescued.
$73 Million
Million Verdict Against Ford Motor Company
Auto Defect
A Sacramento jury found Ford Motor Company responsible to the victims of a rollover crash involving a Ford E350 15 passenger van that experienced a tread separation. The jury found that the 15 passenger vans were dangerously defective and susceptible to loss of control from a tread separation. The jury also determined that Ford had information from its tire supplier, Goodyear, about defective tires that had been installed on the vans, but failed to provide information to owners of the 15 Passenger Vans that the defective Goodyear tires needed to be replaced. The jury's award included $50 million in punitive damages in addition to $23 million in compensatory damages to the victims of the crash. Greene, Broillet & Wheeler partner Christine Spagnoli represented the family of driver Bill Brownell and injured passenger Alex Bessonov. Sacramento attorney Roger Dreyer, of the Dreyer, Babich, Buccola and Wood firm represented Tony Mauro's widow, Susan Mauro and their children Cody and Michael Mauro.
$58 Million
Griggs v West-Pac Industries and Tool Exchange
Defective Products
Christine Spagnoli was one of lead trial counsel that obtained verdict for client arising from defective equipment design resulting in severe burn injury
$55 Million
Andrews v. Marriott
Business Litigation
GB&W partners Bruce Broillet, Scott Carr and Tobin Lanzetta, along with Associate Molly McKibben and Co-Counsel Randall Kinnard obtained a landmark $55 million verdict for FOX Sports reporter and TV personality Erin Andrews in her case against the Nashville Marriott hotel for its misconduct.
$45.6 Million
Charterhouse vs. Law Firm
Legal Malpractice
Legal malpractice, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty case involving concealment of conflict of interest in real estate transaction. Confidential settlement reached before punitive damage phase.
$33 Million
Dr. Angelo Gousse vs. Budget Rent-A-Car and City of Los Angeles/LAPD
Civil Rights
Switched license plates led to traffic stop and subsequent police misconduct that caused permanent injuries to Miami surgeon.
$32.5 Million
Doe Individual v. Doe Defendant
Personal Injury
Passenger in vehicle which was struck by another vehicle causing catastrophic intestinal injuries including loss of function of most of the digestive track.
$36.1 Million
Sanchez v. County of San Bernardino
Motor Vehicle Injury
A young girl hit by a car while running across the street for her school bus. The jury found that the bus driver and bus company were negligent for not reporting an intersection that they knew was dangerous.
$32.5 Million
Doe Individual v. Doe Corporation
Motor Vehicle Injury
Passenger in vehicle which was struck by another vehicle causing catastrophic intestinal injuries including loss of function of most of digestive track.
$25.9 Million
Jury Verdict in Deadly Church Van Rollover Trial
Auto Defect
As co-lead trial counsel, Christine Spagnoli obtained a $25.9 million jury verdict against Ford Motor Company and the First Baptist Church of New Port Richey for the wrongful death of a 44-year-old wife and mother of four. Michalanne Salliotte died on February 21, 2014 when a church van full of people heading to a youth camp in Georgia crashed in North Florida.
Two people, including Salliotte, died and eight other people suffered injuries. While heading north on Interstate 75 in Lake City, the tread separated from the left rear tire, causing the 2002 E-350 Ford to rollover, ejecting four people. Salliotte’s surviving husband, Jeff, and their four children sued Ford for defectively designing its vehicle with an extra row of seats without dual rear tires, making the van unstable and susceptible to loss of control.
Michalanne, who was unbelted, was ejected in the rollover. The plaintiffs claimed that the seatbelts were defectively designed and were inaccessible because the buckles fell under the bench seats. The attorneys also argued that the First Baptist Church negligently maintained the van and had a responsibility to ensure that the seatbelts were accessible to van occupants.
$25 Million
McGee vs. The City of Alameda
Construction Injury
Construction worker hit an underground energized electrical line while using a drill at a construction site, causing him severe electrical injuries that resulted in third degree burns to over 20 percent of his body, several amputations
$22 Million
Pogosyan vs. Southern California Rapid Transit District
Motor Vehicle Injury
Personal Injuries caused by police pursuit.
$21 Million
Kimball v. Southern California Edison
Burn Injuries
Powerline placement caused severe burns, shock and amputation.
Burn Injuries
Negligence involving Power Lines resulting in amputation and burn injury
$16.1 Million
Garcia v Quality Shoring
Construction Injury
Construction Accident/Defective Scaffold resulting in brain damage and orthopedic injuries
$14.4 Million
Pascua/White v Industrial Asphalt
Personal Injury
Negligence arising from improper truck maintenance resulting in multiple wrongful deaths
$13.8 Million
Garcia v. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Head Injury
Joseph Garcia was a 56-year old unemployed passenger on an LACMTA bus, when that bus struck a parked car transportation carrier. Mr. Garcia was thrown around the interior of the bus and suffered a subdural hematoma resulting in severe brain damage and hemiplegia of his left side.
$11.3 Million
Humanicom v National Capital
Business Litigation
Fraudulent Stock purchase and loan resulting in loss of stock
$10 Million
Dylan Holler v. Uesugi Farms
Tractor Trailor Accident
A 16-year-old high school student was driving to school when a tractor trailer crossed over into the oncoming lane, hitting the student's Jeep resulting in life altering injuries.
$10 Million
Doe Individual v. Doe Corporation
Child Injuries
Plaintiff was severely brain injured in an automobile accident when the auto driven by her mother was broadsided by an oncoming vehicle. The mother was using a cell phone and speaking with her employer at the time of the collision. The plaintiff had to re-establish that her mother was in the course and scope of her employment at the time of the accident.
$9.6 Million
Doe Individual v. Doe Law Firm
Legal Malpractice
Legal malpractice against attorneys who negligently prepared and tried a special education /brain injury action against a government entity.
$9 Million
Weidenaar v State of California
Spinal Cord Injuries
Highway Design case involving failure to adequately guard center median "drop-off" area, resulting in spinal cord injuries to 33 year old man.
$8.8 Million
Brezovec v State of California
Premises Liability
Motor Vehicle Accident resulting in severe brain injury
$8.6 Million
Rodriguez vs. Doe Trucking
Wrongful Death
At 4:30 a.m. on February 1, 2016, Plaintiff Marie Coronel and her cameraman were sent by her studio, KGTV Chanel 10 News, to prepare a news report on the aftermath of a severe storm that had passed through San Diego the previous day. Arriving at the Quest Property, Plaintiff found four very large, downed eucalyptus trees. While preparing for the 5:00 a.m. news report, a fifth eucalyptus tree fell on her, causing severe injuries.
Discovery revealed that the HOA knew the dangers posed by trees on its property.
$8.15 Million
Quezda v Motor Coach Industries
Auto Accident
Negligent Operation of School Bus resulting in wrongful death
$8 Million
Farraj v. Gurinder Ruby and Circle K Stores, Inc
Business Law
Lottery winner recovers full value of stolen ticket and related damages
$8 Million
Doe City v Doe Law Firm
Legal Malpractice
Legal malpractice action involving the failure to adequately prepare transactional documents on behalf of Government Entity.
$7.8 Million
Bartoli v. Hanson
Defective Products
Young worker's leg was amputated by defectively designed and manufactured floating rock grinding machine.
$7.675 Million
Tartakoff v City of Los Angeles
Premises Liability
Claim: Reckless Police Pursuit resulting in paraplegia
$7.5 Million
Los Angeles Metro Bus
Commercial Vehicle Accidents
GBW’s former clients share their story of heartbreak and hope on The TODAY Show after their car collided with a Los Angeles Metro Bus. Attorney Geoff Wells obtained a $7.5 million settlement on behalf of the plaintiff who suffered life-threatening injuries.
$7 Million
Cueto v Braun
Head Injury
Tractor Trailer vs. Automobile collision resulting in the amputation of the left arm and Traumatic Brain Injury to 47 year old man.
$6.75 Million
Doe Individual v. Doe Insurance Co.
Insurance Bad Faith
Insurance bad faith denial of defense and indemnification in property damage claim.
$6.7 Million
Lattanzi v City of Los Angeles
Spinal Cord Injuries
Premises Liability case involving a bicycle rider who fell over an unguarded curb and retaining wall when he stopped to rest. Mr. Lattanzi sustained injuries resulting in paraplegia.
$6.4 Million
Ogden v Hamm Brothers Construction
Workplace Injuries
Construction Negligence resulting in brain injury
$6 Million
Hawkins v. City of Anaheim
Burn Injury
While painting the side of a building from a roof, a 31-year-old painter used a 12-foot aluminum pole. The pole contacted a 12,000-volt overhead power line, causing massive injuries and severe third degree thermal burns to 60 percent of the man's body. Settlements reached with the city, building owner and manufacturer of the extension pole.
Workplace Injuries
Construction Accident/Defective Scaffold resulting in severe Orthopedic injuries
$5.6 Million
Cellamare v Laidlaw
Auto Accident
Bus v. Pedestrian Accident resulting in severe orthopedic injuries
$5.5 Million
Garay v. Flynn
Head Injury
Motorcycle lost traction when it encountered roadway which was flooded due to improper pumping of hotel pool water onto the street. 32 year old woman sustained brain injury.
$5.5 Million
Doe Individual v. Doe Manufacturer
Defective Products
Man received brain injury when morphine pump malfunctioned and caused entire contents of pump to dispense into plaintiff's body.
$5.3 Million
Gutierrez v Isuzu
Vehicle Accidents
Defective Auto Design resulting in leg amputation and brain injury
$5.2 Million
Doe Individual v. Doe University Fraternity House Settlement
Burn Injuries
A university student was severely burned when fellow fraternity members threw a firecracker into the fraternity house room where he was sleeping.
$2.2 Million
Coronel vs. Quest Homeowner's Association
Premises Liability
At 4:30 a.m. on February 1, 2016, Plaintiff Marie Coronel and her cameraman were sent by her studio, KGTV Chanel 10 News, to prepare a news report on the aftermath of a severe storm that had passed through San Diego the previous day. Arriving at the Quest Property, Plaintiff found four very large, downed eucalyptus trees. While preparing for the 5:00 a.m. news report, a fifth eucalyptus tree fell on her, causing severe injuries.
Discovery revealed that the HOA knew the dangers posed by trees on its property.
The trucking company did not have adequate insurance to cover the multiple claims against it. However, utilizing the law requiring that multiple other motor carriers in the chain of distribution had a non-delegable duty to transport the subject load safely, GB&W was able to obtain a full recovery in this tragedy for the Rodriguez family.
Conf
Keeshen v Fox Television
Business Litigation
Animator and Director was not properly compensated for role in creation of pitch presentation pilot for television show "Family Guy."
Conf
Gabor v. Beverly Hills Police Department
Business Litigation
Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor matter with the Beverly Hills Police department.
Conf
Bethea v Burnett
Action relating to claims that defendants improperly used plaintiff's idea and concept for the reality television series "The Apprentice."
$5.14 Million
Doe Individual v. Doe City
Head Injury
Mother was hit by an on-duty police officer and ejected from her vehicle. She received severe brain injury from the incident.
Premises Liability
Dangerous Condition of Public Property/Negligence resulting in brain injury
$5 Million
Doe v. Doe Trucking Company
Wrongful Death
Passenger in Truck was killed when driver lost control and rolled down embankment into traffic lanes.
$5 Million
Choi v. State of California
Disability
A young homemaker and mother suffered serious head trauma while a passenger in a car that was struck by a Caltrans vehicle.
$4.9 Million
Avalos v. Calexico Hospital
Child Injuries
Brain damage birth injury as a result of anoxia caused by vaginal delivery of breech birth.
$4.9 Million
Ricks v. Pharaoh’s Lost Kingdom Amusement Park
Personal Injury
Personal injury on a Ferris wheel amusement park ride
$4.5 Million
Doe v. Doe Restaurant
Burn Injuries
Man fell into open fire pit on bar patio sustaining severe burn injuries.
$4.5 Million
Grill v. City of Los Angeles
Head Injuries
Collision at Los Angeles Airport involving a police vehicle and an airline tug.
$4.5 Million
Teraberanyans v. Browning-Ferris Industries
Wrongful Death
Browning-Ferris Industries recycling truck jumped over the median and collided head on, killing a 34-year-old husband and father.
$4.1 Million
Valdivia v. St. Jude's Academy
Child Injuries
San Diego school held responsible for defective playground swing that led to a 12-year-old child's head injury.
$3.7 Million
Scholz v. State of California
Wrongful Death
Road design case against the State of California for the death of a young boy and the loss of a leg to his father. They were riding on a motorcycle when a driver crossed the center median and struck them.
$3.67 Million
Damron v. Laidlaw
Head Injuries
Plaintiff severely injured after a school bus, operated by a private contractor, failed to yield to oncoming traffic. Injury to brain, facial paralysis, fractured hip and multiple other personal injuries were sustained.
$3.65 Million
Doe Individual v. Doe Corporation
Workplace Injuries
Worker at loading dock was pinned and his pelvis crushed when a truck pulling away from the area trapped him against commercial refuse containers.
$3.5 Million
Hodges v. State of California
Personal Injury
A father and his two sons sustained severe spinal and multiple injuries as a result of a multi-vehicle automobile accident caused by a drunken off-duty CHP officer returning from a CHP party.
$3.4 Million
Kinder v. San Diego Trolley
Mass Transit Accident
The San Diego trolley system is designed so as to force patrons to jump through the trolley cars in order to catch the trolley on the opposite side of the tracks. While "couple jumping" onto a moving trolley, our client sustained serious injuries.
$3.3 Million
Murillo v. U.S.A. (Border Patrol)
Wrongful Death
Award to two families whose children were struck and killed by vehicle improperly chased by Border Patrol. Largest verdict against Border Patrol.
$3.2 Million
Staley v. Metropolitan Transit Authority
Head Injuries
Twenty-one year old pedestrian, a UCLA graduate student, suffered traumatic brain injuries after being struck by MTA bus.
$3 Million
Doe v Doe Law Firm
Legal Malpractice
Transactional Legal Malpractice relating to the sale of plaintiff's business.
$3 Million
Doe Family v. Doe Corporation
Product Liability
A products liability action involving tire tread separation that caused a passenger van to roll over. The crash resulted in the death of two Philippine immigrants.
$3 Million
Macchia v. Synergy Cargo Logistics
Product Liability
Wrongful death of two unrestrained, elderly parents of driver, who was also unrestrained and seriously injured. The defendant trucking company's negligence resulted in a 3,000 lb. converter gear detaching on the 605 freeway. The plaintiffs' vehicle struck the object.
$3 Million
Doe Individual v. Doe Company
Personal Injury
Industrial accident involving a brake failure on a loader causing orthopedic injuries to the victim.
$3 Million
Hernandez v. County of Los Angeles
Wrongful Death
Wrongful death case of Randy Hernandez brought by his 2 year old daughter. Randy Hernandez's vehicle was disabled on the 110 freeway when he was struck and killed by a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy. Randy was not living with his daughter at the time of his death and the County improperly attempted to shift all the blame on to Randy for his death and tried to improperly highlight his past use of prescription marijuana. The jury found Randy to be 0% at fault for his death.
$3 Million
Doe Individuals v. Doe Law Firm
Legal Malpractice
Legal malpractice action involving violation of statute of limitations on an underlying wrongful termination action.
$2.9 Million
Laurutis v. RPS, Inc.
Workplace Injuries
50-year-old male sustained multiple fractures when thrown from a crane. Subcontractor was found negligent; he failed to warn plaintiff of increased load.
$2.9 Million
Doe Individual v. Doe Insurance Co.
Disability
Plaintiff doctor denied disability benefits by insurer.
$2.75 Million
Doe Individual v. John Doe Corporation
Defective Products
Woman received severe burns after the arc of an electric blanket ignited a fire in the house.
$2.7 Million
McKinzie v. Timely Transportation
Motor Vehicle Injuries
Decedent Bruce McKinzie pulled over on the shoulder of the road, two feet north of the fog line, approximately 30 miles west of Blythe, CA. He was attempting to tie down a loose tarp on his flatbed trailer when he was struck by defendant Mitchell Lee Kirkwood who was employed by defendant Timely Transportation, Inc. and driving a conventional freightliner. Bruce McKinzie died at the scene.
$2.6 Million
Mehdipour v. City of Santa Monica
Motor Vehicle Accident
80 year old man who was trying to catch a bus had his left arm run over resulting in amputation.
$2.6 Million
Mendoza v. Ray's Auto Repair
Wrongful Death
Wrongful death of 72-year-old husband, and father of 12 children, due to negligent repair of transmission of 1976 Ford pickup which jumped gears from park to reverse.
$2.5 Million
Linares v. General Motors
Auto Accident
GM found negligent of failure to warn after plaintiff, a furniture mover, suffered severe burns when his supervisor attempted to re-start the vehicle by priming the carburetor with gasoline.
$2.5 Million
Whetstone v. Schlumberger
Wrongful Death
Wrongful death of college student who crashed on highway after hitting a metal object that fell off the defendant's trailer.
$2.5 Million
Doe Individual v. Doe Corporation
Wrongful Death
Wrongful death action brought by spouse after her husband was killed. Defendant's employee fell asleep while driving, crossed the center line on US 395, and collided head on with decedent.
$2.5 Million
Colmanares v. Doe Corporation
Auto Accident
Wrongful death of two minor children, ages 13 and 15, burned to death in a pick up truck which burst into flames as the result of a defectively designed filler neck and gas cap.
$2.45 Million
Doe Individual v. Doe individual
Personal Injury
Route driver struck individual in unmarked crosswalk. Plaintiff suffered orthopedic injuries.
$2.45 Million
Doe Individual v. Doe individual
Wrongful Death
Minor automobile collision resulting in heart attack and the death of the celebrity.
$2.4 Million
Doe Family v. Doe Corporation
Product Liability
A woman was burned when the gas dryer placed on the ground in her garage caused the ignition of flammable vapors.
$2.4 Million
Doe v Doe Crane
Workplace Injuries
Worker helping lower cement sewer cone when it broke loose causing a fractured pelvis.
$2.4 Million
Doe Individual v. Doe Corporation
Burn Injury
A woman was severely burned when the gas dryer placed on the ground in her garage caused the ignition of flammable vapors.
$2.3 Million
Doe v Doe Bicycle
Product Liability
Seat Clip broke while man was riding his bicycle causing head and neck injuries.
$2.3 Million
Maxcy v. Home Depot
Personal Injury
Man struck by electric pallet jack driven by Home Depot employee while unloading truck at store. Damage sustained exacerbated prior lower back injury.
$2.25 Million
Doe Individual v. Doe Corporation
Wrongful Death
An immigrant security guard was struck and killed by a vehicle driven by an underage female as he was guarding a construction site.
$2.2 Million
Doe Individual v. Doe Law Firm
Legal Malpractice
Legal malpractice action against attorneys who negligently advised doctor as to his liability and exposure in fraud lawsuit against him and others by shareholders of a corporation.
$2.1 Million
Doe Individual v. Doe Celebrity
Head Injuries
Celebrity driver struck woman in crosswalk causing orthopedic and closed head injuries.
$2 Million
Steichen v. City of Santa Monica
Municipal Liability
Wrongful death of a 64-year-old woman who was struck at an intersection by a City of Santa Monica police vehicle that was allegedly responding to an "officer needs assistance" call.
$2 Million
Luu v. Doe Corporation
Auto Accident
Action against automaker for defective filler neck system and inadequate welds of unibody frame resulting in severe burn injuries to occupant.
$1.9 Million
Torchia v LA County Metropolitan Transportation
Personal Injury
MTA Bus sideswiped motorcycle causing clutch handle to break off resulting in collision which caused orthopedic injuries to 50 year old male.
$1.9 Million
Doe Individual v. Doe Film Company
burn injuries
Actress sustained third degree burn injuries to her face and body while performing fire-breathing stunt during movie audition. Settlement reached after plaintiff won verdict on liability.
$1.75 Million
Doe Individual v. Doe Corporation
Workplace Injuries
Thirty-six-year-old refinery worker burned when pressurized liquid escaped from a negligently designed coker at an oil refinery in Torrance.
$1.75 million during trial
$1.75 Million
Younger v. Foster Wheeler
Burn Injury
Thirty-six year old refinery worker was severely burned when pressurized liquid escaped from a negligently designed coker at an oil refinery in Torrance.
$1.15 Million
JoAnn MacKenzie v. A-List Limousine Services, LLC
Personal Injury
48-year-old woman suffered injuries to two discs in her spine after a limo driver recklessly tried to cross seven lanes of traffic, triggering a crash.