The following are representative of successful litigation results achieved by Belgrade and O'Donnell on behalf of insurers, business entities and individuals:
| PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY LOSS |
Represented defendant-owner who was sued when a worker fell to his death after being electrocuted while changing sign on billboard. Following carefully tailored discovery, the trial judge granted defendant-owner's motion for summary judgment. Subsequently, acknowledging the strength of our position, plaintiff-worker settled the remaining aspects of claim for minimal account.
Represented construction manager with on-site responsibilities in multi-million dollar personal injury action. Case involved the collapse of building during construction which resulted in death of two workers and caused serious injury to other workers. Through successful pretrial discovery and trial preparation, limited exposure of client at trial to less than nine percent of total damages.
Represented pressure valve distributor and installer in $250 million claim arising from chemical plant explosion that fatally injured two workers, severely injured dozens of other workers and caused millions in property damage. Despite evidence that insured incorrectly calilbrated valve which constributed to cause explosion, aggressive defense resulted in settlement for minimal fraction of final damages.
Represented general contractor in construction negligence case involving injury to worker. Plaintiff's case settled on reasonable terms, but third-party defendant (construction subcontractor) refused to contribute towards settlement. Case continued to trial of contribution claim against third-party defendant, where substantial contribution was obtained.
Represented computer programming company in products liability claim where company was contracted to coordinate upgrade of manufacturing lines in confectionery company by implementing computer programmed production service line. Claim brought against client when plaintiff's arm was severed while working on production line. Case settled for very favorable amount after establishing that work being performed by client was not a "product" but rather a "service," thus defeating products liability claim.
Represented underwriter in coverage dispute and bad faith claim brought by the insured relating to a substantial casualty loss. Damages in excess of $1 million plus punitive damages were sought in Alaskan federal court, where juries had recently returned several multi-million dollar punitive damage awards against insurance companies. Aggresive case preparation and convincing arguments on complex legal issues resulted in the resolution of the lawsuit on very advantageous terms.
Represented insurer in environmental pollution coverage case. Insured sought damages of $15 million for environmental clean-up costs resulting from years of insured operating a wood-treating facility. After successfully streamlining the legal issues before the court through motions, case proceeded through trial where jury awarded insured only small percentage of damages sought.