Personal Injury Case Results from The Law Office of Mark B. Morse

Brain Injury • Burn Injury • Motor Vehicle Accidents • Premises Liability • Product Liability • Toxic Tort • Medical Malpractice

Attorney Mark B. Morse, a civil trial specialist, has been representing injured people and families who have lost a loved one to wrongful death in Rhode Island and Massachusetts since 1983. Below you can see some of the results the firm has achieved for past clients. To get help with your legal case, please contact our Providence, Rhode Island, law office to schedule a complimentary consultation with an experienced trial lawyer.

CASE SUMMARIES * Names have been altered to preserve anonymity - The cases, while representative, do not reflect what may occur in a particular situation which will vary depending on the circumstances of each case.

BRAIN INJURY

Mrs. B. was 70 years old and in good health when she entered a local department store on a spring day. The heavy metal door was propped open with a small wedge of wood when a strong wind blew the door shut, knocking Mrs. B in the head. Her health quickly deteriorated, leading to a series of mini-strokes that her doctor said were probably related to the blow to her head. The case was presented to a jury and in mid-trial, after hearing the persuasive testimony of her devoted husband, the department store attorneys agreed to a six-figure settlement.

Diane was five years old when she slipped from a ten-foot wall on a former school property that was being prepared for development as an apartment complex. She suffered a closed-head injury, which her doctor said would likely result in long-term consequences. Immediately before trial, the lawyers for the property owners agreed to a six-figure settlement, payable in a lifetime annuity to the child.

BURN INJURIES

During a city-wide celebration, Juan, a 14-year-old boy, was standing on a porch when his friend held a flagpole outside a patio and struck a high voltage electrical wire. The voltage traveled through the pole, causing burns to Juan. A suit was brought against the property owners and the electric utility, resulting in a six-figure settlement for Juan's benefit.

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS

Car Accident: Eleanor was driving a rental vehicle during her vacation in the Virgin Islands when she was struck by a car driven by a Rhode Island driver on the wrong side of the road. The collision required an operation to mend her broken hip, leaving her with a shortened leg and a lifelong injury. The case settled for the amount of insurance then available to Evelyn, the sum of $250,000, after suit began in federal court in Rhode Island.

Car Accident: Al, a 53-year-old man, was involved in two motor vehicle collisions within a two-month period. The first accident resulted in payment to Al of $42,000 for a back injury. For the second accident, which involved a re-injury of his back, Al received the entire $25,000 policy limits of the responsible party's insurance. He then made a claim for underinsurance benefits from his own policy that resulted in another $37,500 payment, for a total of $104,500 total recovery from the two accidents.

Car Accident: Deborah was a thirty-five-year-old stay-at-home mom. She was not working due to a work-related injury from which she was receiving workers' compensation benefits. She was injured in a motor vehicle accident and retained The Law Office of Mark B. Morse to represent her. Despite the insurance company doctor's testimony that the work-related injury involved the same body parts as those injured in the car accident, Deborah was able to establish that the injury was, in fact, different. She recovered the sum of $99,900 from the responsible party's insurance.

Car Accident: Al and Paula recovered $27,000 from the responsible party's insurance company. They also recovered over $8,000 to reimburse their medical providers from their own insurance company. The insurance company demanded repayment of the $8,000 for its insurance subrogation claim, but in a landmark case Attorney Morse argued successfully that the insurance company repayment should be reduced by the amounts Al and Paula had to pay for attorneys' fees and expenses. This resulted in a further net gain to Al and Paula.

Motorcycle Accident: George was riding his motorcycle when a car pulling from a side street collided with him. The car driver's insurer offered the amount of the policy limits to George. Had George accepted that money, he would have been prevented from making an underinsured claim. After retaining personal injury attorney Morse, George obtained the full benefits of the car driver's insurance and an additional amount from his own insurance that resulted in a sum 65 percent higher than he would otherwise have obtained.

Pedestrian Accident: Mrs. B., an 80-year-old woman, was crossing the street in front of her church when she was struck by a motor vehicle. The police officer that wrote the police report stated that Mrs. B. walked into the vehicle. Attorney Morse, doubtful of the statements in the police report, hired a private investigator who found witnesses to establish that Mrs. B. did not walk into the vehicle as stated, but was struck by the vehicle, which was going too fast. Mrs. B. was then able to successfully settle her claims from the drivers' insurance company.

Pedestrian Accident: Frank was in a convenience store when a motor vehicle crashed through the window and struck him. As a result, Frank's wrist was injured. His wrist had been broken in years past, and the car driver's insurance company said it was not responsible for the pre-existing injury. The insurance company also claimed that there was only $100,000 in insurance money available to reimburse Frank. The insurance company offered $15,000 in total settlement of Frank's injuries. Out-of-state counsel then asked attorney Morse to handle the claim. Attorney Morse established that Frank's wrist, though broken before the accident, had not bothered him until he had been struck by the car. Still, the car driver's insurance company resisted any further offers. Finally, on the eve of trial, after being exposed to a claim beyond the $100,000 coverage, attorney Morse obtained $225,000 from the insurance company.

PREMISES LIABILITY

Jim was pushing a commercial dumpster along broken pavement when the wheel caught in a crack in the pavement causing Jim to sustain a shoulder injury. In addition to the workers compensation benefits collected for his lost wages and injuries, a claim was presented against the property owners. It was settled on the eve of trial. Total sums received for Jim exceeded $250,000.

Anna was walking on a stairway when her grandfather shot a gun in the air. The bullet went through the wall, striking Anna. The insurance company would not indemnify the grandfather because it claimed the act was intentional and was excluded from coverage. Attorney Morse took over the representation of Anna after two previous lawyers determined there would be no insurance coverage. After a trial by jury, the insurance carrier finally relented and paid the total amount of its insurance coverage to Anna.

Barbara was walking in an historic area of Newport when her heel caught on the cobblestone walk, causing Barbara to injure her ankle. Attorney Morse was able to obtain a $75,000.00 settlement on Barbara's behalf.

Brandon was working for a beverage distributor when, while delivering to a retail store, he slipped on a liquid substance injuring his back. He recovered workers compensation benefits and then brought a claim against the store. Attorney Morse negotiated a mediated settlement for Brandon. The total recovery exceeded $1 million of which $750,000 came from the store with the balance from a lump sum settlement of his workers' compensation, and his weekly workers' compensation benefits.

Joanne was walking in the bank parking lot when she slipped on ice, fell and broke her wrist. Attorney Morse achieved a settlement for her in the amount of $125,000.

Art was in a parking lot of a residential apartment complex when he slipped causing injuries to his ribs and shoulder. The corporate owner of the apartment complex, through its insurance company lawyers, contended Art had too much to drink which caused him to fall. The insurance company lawyers vigorously contested Art's claim for damages. The case was referred to Attorney Morse by other counsel who was unable to make any headway with the insurance company. Attorney Morse was able to present evidence that the parking lot was poorly maintained, and negotiated a $125,000 settlement from the $15,000 offer initially offered by the insurance company.

Ronald was visiting his parents from out of state when the neighbor's dog broke through an invisible fence attacking him viciously and causing wounds to his forearm. The Law Office of Mark B. Morse was able to successfully negotiate a six- figure settlement for Ronald's wounds.

Carlos, a three year old, was at his neighbor's home, when their pet dog protecting its territory bit the child in the face. The Law Office of Mark B. Morse helped secure a structured settlement for the child's benefit payable after the child reached his age of majority.

PRODUCT LIABILITY

Mr. and Mrs. S. heated their home through a propane gas burner. Shortly after getting a refill, a tank exploded causing severe damage to their home. The propane gas company claimed Mr. or Mrs. S. did not properly lock the valve. Attorney Morse hired an expert in the causes of fire damage who helped establish that the gas company was responsible. A settlement was then reached in the amount of the damage to the home.

Pedro fell from a ladder, injuring his thumb. He claimed the ladder rung did not properly lock. The attorneys for the ladder company claimed he was leaning to the side that caused the ladder to fall. Attorney Morse retained an expert civil engineer to examine the ladder who supported Pedro's claim that the ladder rung lock oftentimes failed to lock correctly. As a result, the lawyers for the ladder company agreed to a settlement of Pedro's claims.

TOXIC TORT

Jane lived near a metal processing plant that emitted pollutants in the air. As a result, her bronchitis was aggravated. Attorney Morse brought a claim against the metal processing plant on the basis that it was a nuisance. Attorneys for the metal processing plant vigorously contested that the plant's emissions aggravated Jane's condition. Despite their vigorous defense, a favorable settlement was reached for Jane.

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

Irene was in her 90s when admitted to the hospital. Her chart warned against the administration of a blood-thinning drug. The hospital overlooked the instructions that led to a deterioration of Irene's condition, and her eventual death. A six-figure settlement was reached with the hospital and Irene's family.

Compassionate Legal Help

We take great care in dealing with clients during this sensitive time. Whether you are in Johnston, East Providence, Warwick or Woonsocket, contact our Providence law firm to learn more about your legal rights in civil court cases.