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We practice a large variety of complex litigation matters. Our core value is to help people who have been harmed by the acts of others. While we have excelled at routine litigation we have not forgotten the need for skilled trial attorneys in non-traditional litigation matters. Below is a sampling of matters we have litigated which were passed over by judges, attorneys and other professionals as being too hard, too complicated and generally unwinnable.
Cawood, et al. v. PEPCO, et al.
The Plaintiffs were life long employees of PEPCO. In September 2005 PEPCO ordered an investigation/surveillance be conducted on the Plaintiffs after allegedly receiving an anonymous complaint that the employees were not properly reporting for work. The Plaintiffs discovered the surveillance which included a tracking device on a personal vehicle, video footage of the Plaintiffs at their homes and being tailed through the District of Columbia and Maryland. The Plaintiffs approached PEPCO about the surveillance and PEPCO denied any knowledge of the surveillance.
The case involved complex issues of negligence, nuisance, intentional infliction of emotional distress and invasion of privacy. PEPCO fought the case for years through State and Federal Courts. PEPCO never identified the source of the alleged anonymous complainant and at trial PEPCO was never able to prove such complaint was ever made. PEPCO never checked the time cards of the employees alleged to have missed work, never checked the facility video surveillance ot confirm if the employees were at work and never checked the facility logs to confirm if the employees were at work. Through discovery Plaintiffs learned these items all supported the employees and showed they had done nothing wrong.
The jury returned a total verdict of $1,382,000.00 for all Plaintiffs.
Intercom Systems, Corp. v. Bell Atlantic
Intercom was one of the first Internet Service Providers (ISP) in the State of Maryland. The company was formed by a disabled veteran who was essentially confined to his home. He formed his ISP back when phone dial-up was the only source of access. The company experienced early success and growth and had very few competitors. He expanded to provide greater service through the phone company which provided the only viable source of internet connectivity. The company did well until they started experiencing interruption in delivery of service ot their customers. This coincided with Bell Atlantic entering the ISP market.
Suit was brought by Intercom alleging Bell Atlantic was purposefully interfering with Intercom’s business in an effort to increase their own ISP product. Intercom alleged damages in excess of $20,000,000.00 supported by economists and business analysts. The matter settled before trial for a confidential sum.
Potochney, et al. v. Baltimore County Board of Education, et al.
Payton Potochney (age 2) suffered second and third degree burns to the lower half of his body when he went down a playground slide at a local elementary school which had been doused with sulfuric acid. The acid had been applied by two neighborhood boys who entered the school storage facility located next to the playground. Payton underwent numerous surgical procedures, including skin grafts, over several years.
Suit was brought against the two boys as well as the Board of Education. Discovery revealed that the Board of Education had not used the sulfuric acid for many years and likely had no knowledge the sulfuric acid was still being kept next to the playground. There was also testimony suggesting the acid was not properly secured and was easily accessible to the boys.
We were able to obtain policy limits settlements from the insurance companies representing the two teens. The matter continued against the Board of Education. Unfortunately Boards of Education in Maryland are protected by a statute which limits their liability to $100,000.00 in tort actions. Payton's past medical expenses alone exceeded this amount. Settlment was eventually reached with the Board of Education and we took no attorney fees on the recovery.
This is an article about the lawsuit
Articles about the settlement are here and here
