|
Printable version  |
Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann, and Bernstein, LLP (trial lawyer Scott Nealy) achieved another (their second after  Mraz) Park to Reverse verdict against Chrysler. The case was tried in St. Bernard Parish, LA and is one of the first post Katrina verdicts. The vehicle is a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee (i6 with 42RE.) $7.2 Million once interest is considered, may be the largest verdict ever from this Parish. Chrysler put on only one witness - Dick Keefer from Exponent. They dropped their other scheduled witnesses after his cross examination of Keefer and went to closing.
Chrysler fought the Park to Reverse cases very hard, recently prevailing in a case they tried in Maryland. Plaintiffs received a very significant multiplier on what Chrysler was willing to offer before trial - in spite of the firm's earlier verdict in Mraz. No punitive can be recovered in Louisiana.
Experts were Gerry Rosenbluth, transmission: Jim Williams, industry standards and Allan Kam on NHTSA and standards. Kam was the rebuttal witness but never testified. Mr. Nealy reports that having him ready was a good deterrent. He further commented that the combination of having Kam ready to testify and what happened to Chrysler's only expert Keefer on cross exam, was enough to get them to go to closing without calling anyone else. The Jury came back with more money than Plaintiffs originally asked for. Of note: Mr. Nealy got Dr. Mark Edwards, Chrysler expert, excluded from testifying under Daubert. The Court ruled that he was unqualified. Edwards came in to bring a Daubert challenge against Plaintiffs' expert Gerry Rosenbluth but was then disqualified under Daubert, himself.
Jury verdict form, judgment opinion and Daubert transcript re: Chrysler expert Edwards are available in PDF format. Contact Linda Sherman for copies-lss@lsshermanconsulting.com.
|
|
|
 |
|
LSSLC, LLC provides the information in this newsletter for general guidance only, and does not constitute the provision of legal advice or professional consulting of any kind. The information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional tax, accounting, legal, or other competent advisers. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a professional adviser who has been provided with all pertinent facts relevant to your particular situation.
The information is provided "as is," with no assurance or guarantee of completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose.
|
|
|
Full Newsletter
