Fresno Personal Injury Lawyer - Miscellaneous

Deadly Collision Kills Bakersfield Men

David Rowell — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:26:28 GMT

A deadly automobile accident Monday night in Coalinga killed two Bakersfield men. While traveling at a high rate of speed, Scott Duke, in a 2008 Volvo, slammed into the back of a dump truck at a high rate of speed. Duke and his passenger Eugene Hernandez were killed instantly in the collision, according to Fresno County Coroner's Office. Authorities reported that it took over four hours to separate the car from the truck. The truck driver was not injured.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Rowell

Tort Reform and Settlement

David Rowell — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:46:18 GMT

An article in yesterday's Daily Report illustrates a problem well-known by most trial lawyers; the insurance industry would rather spend money fighting claims than paying them.

The Daily Report article follows a study published in the Columbia Business Law Review, conducted by Jeffrey O'Connell of the University of Virginia School of Law and Patricia Born of California State University-Northridge. That study analyzed settlements of personal injury and defective product cases against companies between 1988 and 2004 in Texas and Florida.

Based on their analysis, the researchers found that, by early settlement, the defendants could have saved an average of $114,000 per claim, or $670,000 for sever injuries, plus $32,000 from lower legal expenses, or about $211,000 in cases with more severe injuries.

That totals$146,000.00 at the low end and $881,000 at the high end; that's a tremendous amount of money, money that could have gone to compensate injured people, but was instead spent on court costs and attorneys' fees.

Like many lawyers, I've had that experience all too often; a reasonable settlement offer before trial is rejected by the defendant's insurer, the case goes to trial and a jury finds the defendant liable for the plaintiff's injuries.If it's clear to 12 impartial jurors that the defendant was liable, surely the insurance company should have seen it before trial, before the money was spent, and settled the case.

Why would the insurer not settle? Why is the insurance industry's policy so often "collect the premiums and deny the claims"? There are probably several reasons, but I'm sure that one is because it discourages all claims, even meritorious claims, and that saves the insurance companies lots of money.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Rowell

The Rowell Law Office

Staff Writer — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 16:03:05 GMT

The Rowell Law Office was established by David L. Rowell in 1996.

The firm emphasizes civil litigation in state and federal court. The firm's client base ranges from individual consumers through small family businesses to closely held corporations.

Much of the firm's work is in the area of labor and employment law. This practice area can be as varied as the firm's clients. It includes: employees with claims for wrongful termination or sexual harassment; employers defending those or other claims in State and Federal Court, before the California Labor Commissioner, or the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board; companies needing an audit of their employment practices and procedures; firms needing employment or separation agreements, employee handbooks or other documentation required by state or federal employment law; and other issues. Whatever the need, the Rowell Law Office is available to help throughout the San Joaquin Valley with the highest quality of legal services.

The firm also has a substantial practice assisting individual consumers with personal injury, property damage, and similar claims. The Rowell Law Office understands that those who have been injured through another's carelessness need help understanding the law and their rights. We also understand that each client's situation requires individual attention and solutions. Our goal is to provide solutions to each client's legal problem in the most effective, efficient and personalized way . Using this approach we provide prompt, creative and effective assistance, whatever our client's needs.

The firm is also ready to lend its expertise in complex business lawsuits. The firm's experienced trial staff has represented businesses, their owners and consumers in trials before judges and juries from Madera, Fresno, Kings and Tulare Counties. Using state-of-the art computer systems, case management and docketing software, and sophisticated imaging systems, the firm is able to provide its clients quality legal representation that is both cost effective and responsive to changing legal needs.

Since its inception, the Rowell Law Office has tried to deliver creative solutions to varied legal problems, through a combination of legal skill, advanced office systems, and a focus on personal attention. By applying these tools on our clients' behalf we've been successful in persuading judges and juries of the rightness of our clients' causes. We'd like to do the same for you.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

David L. Rowell, Attorney at Law

Staff Writer — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 15:57:36 GMT

Mr. Rowell received his legal training at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (J.D., with distinction, 1991). While at McGeorge Mr. Rowell was selected for membership in the Order of the Coif and the Traynor Honor Society. He was an Oral Competition Finalist, Moot Court Honors Board, and a member of McGeorge's National Moot Court Competition Team. He received the American Jurisprudence Award in Real Property, Complex Civil Litigation and Civil Procedure. Mr. Rowell was a Legislative Review Staff Writer for the Pacific Law Journal.

Mr. Rowell is a member of the Fresno County Bar Association, the American Bar Association (Sections on Labor and Employment, and Litigation), the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Consumer Attorneys of California, and the National Employment Lawyers Association.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Disclaimer

Staff Writer — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 15:52:10 GMT

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Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer