Recent Blog Posts

Motor Cycle Rider Recovers $70,000

Jim Burns — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:25:00 GMT

In October of 2010 a Harley rider went out for a pleasant afternoon ride with his girl friend as a passenger on his Road Glide. They came to an intersection and stopped. When the light turned green they proceeded. Unfortunately, another vehicle approaching the intersection failed to stop for the red traffic signal. The alert rider saw the vehicle and applied his brakes and steered away from the approaching vehicle. Recognizing that he was not going to be able stop before impact he laid the motorcycle down at slow speed. The police report stated that "[both riders on the (Harley-Davidson Road Glide) were able to get up and walk away with minimal injuries. Both parties declined medical attention.". When the Harley rider made his claim for personal injury and damage to the insurance carrier, they told him he would get a settlement for his property damage and $2000.00 for his injury. The victim thus rebuffed contacted The Dunnion Law firm for a free consultation. He learned what the firm could do for him to assist in documenting his claim. He was referred to a doctor who diagnosed an undisclosed hernia that was likely aggravated by the fall. The attorneys then put together a demand to fully state the loss and presented a settlement demand to the adverse insurance company. Thereafter, the insurance company made the first real offer of $50,000.00. Through negotiations the carrier ultimately agreed to pay $70,000.00. This sum was $68,000.00 above the initial offer made before the client was represented by the Dunnion Law Firm. He was very happy that he decided to talk to a lawyer and that the law firm he chose to represent him was The Dunnion Law Firm. Incidently, the carrier also paid his girl friend an additional $5,000.00.

Momterey Cat Bite Victim Obtains $155,000 Settlement

Jim Burns — Fri, 04 May 2012 21:15:00 GMT

The victim's neighbor's cat escaped and the neighbor asked her to help her locate it. The injury victim found the cat and when she went to pick up the cat she was bitten and subsequently suffered a serious infection which kept her in the hospital for a week. During that time she had to undergo two surgeries on her hand bcause of the bite and infection which had set in. The Dunnion Law Firm took this poor lady's case without knowing anything about the insurance available, or if the cat owner had any assets to pay our client. The attorneys immediately went to work on the case the minute the client retained us.

The Dunnion Law Firm investigated and found out that the neighbor, a renter, fortunately had renter's insurance. The Dunnion Law Firm assisted in getting our client medical attention, secured an expert plastic surgeon to write a detailed medical report regarding her injuries, and assisted the client in obtaining an advance of funds on her case settlement. The Dunnion Law Firm was able to reach an out-of court settlement and protected the client from litigation which would have been very costly and would have delayed matters for months.

Now, not only does The Dunnion Law Firm hold the record for the largest dog bite settlement in California and the United States, but they we also hold the record for the largest verified cat bite settlement in California and U.S. history.

If you or a loved one is seriously injured by a vicious dog, cat or other animal, you need someone who knows the law and will fight the insurance company for you. We are the animal attack experts. You need The Dunnion Law Firm on your side.....it's just that easy.

Driver wo ran a red light pays $250,000 to injuy victim

Jim Burns — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:40:00 GMT

On August 26, 2010, a Tulare County man was injured when the at fault driver ran a red light and crashed into him, totaling the vehicle he was driving. The injured man was transported by ambulance from the accident scene to a local hospital where he was diagnosed as suffering from compression fractures in his spine. A short while later, the injured man hired a Fresno attorney to handle his claim for personal injuries and damages arising from the collision. Ten months after hiring this attorney, the client was extremely frustrated by the lack of communication with this attorney about his case. The injured man felt frustrated and ignored by the attorney, so he decided to contact the Dunnion Law Firm for help. The injured man was so pleased with the Dunnion Law Firm’s evaluation and plan for his case he hired the firm the same day he spoke to them. Because he was unable to work due to his accident related injuries, the client could not pay for basic living expenses. The Dunnion Law Firm made arrangements with a loan company to pay for his living expenses while he recuperated from the injuries he suffered in the car wreck. The Dunnion Law Firm also found an orthopedic surgeon who was willing to provide medical treatment to the client, even though he lacked health insurance. Seven months later, a policy limits settlement of $250,000.00 was achieved for the client through the expertise of the Dunnion Law Firm. The previous lawyer had his case for eight months and did absolutely nothing to help the client. The client’s attorney’s fees, costs and medical expenses were paid, the loan that kept him afloat was paid, and the client walked away with a net settlement in excess of $120,000.00.

Don’t gamble with your personal injury claim by hiring an attorney who is too busy or to arrogant refuses to speak with you or work on your claim. The professionals at The Dunnion Law Firm should be your first and only choice - it’s just that easy.

Madera Man Left For Dead By Reckless Driver

Jim Burns — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:05:00 GMT

A Madera resident was walking home in the evening when a reckless driver swerved nearly 15 feet off the edge of the road and struck the man walking on the dirt shoulder. The driver did not stop, but rather, sped away trying to flee the scene. A passing motorist turned and tried to catch the reckless driver who had a large head start. The reckless driver stopped for a train and the witness was able to get the license number. The witness then returned to the scene and give the license number to the police.

The victim, who had been left for dead by the reckless driver, was taken to Madera Community Hospital where it was determined his abdominal injuries were too severe for the facility causing his transfer to the trauma center in Fresno. His injuries included a ruptured spleen which casused the need for emergency surgery to repair the spleen and other damaged abdominal organs.

Because the man had no health insurance, he was discharged immediately after he recovered from the emergency surgery and was taken home by his family. Within 24 hours of being released, he was taken back to Madera Community Hospital where he remained for several days.

Not only had the reckless driver left him for dead, but the doctors and hospitals were refusing to give him adequate medical care because he had no means to pay for it. He called The Dunnion Law Firm for help.

He was immediately evaluated by a doctor and an MRI was performed which revealed that the man had an avulsion fracture in the knee which went undiagnosed by either of the hospitals. The Dunnion Law Firm arranged for the man to have surgery on his knee and further arranged for the providers to wait for payment of the medical care until his case was completed.

Because he was unable to work, the man could not pay his child support or other vital living expenses. The Dunnion Law Firm made arrangements with a loan company to pay the child support and to provide several advances for living expenses while he recuperated from injuries sustained in the accident.

After the man recovered from surgery, a policy limits settlement of $250,000.00 was achieved by The Dunnion Law Firm. The medical expenses were paid at negotiated reduced amounts (there was over $205,000.00 in medical treatment), the loans that kept him afloat were repaid, and the man still was able to receive a significant portion of the settlement in his pocket.

Client Knocked Down By Driver In A Hurry

Jim Burns — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:35:00 GMT

The victim was a 46-year old woman disabled with Muniere’s Disease who was hit while walking down the sidewalk. The defendant, who was running late to a doctor’s appointment, backed out of her driveway without looking and knocked the client to the ground. Neither the emergency room doctors, nor the client’s own physician had anything to offer her besides pain medication and "come back if you get worse." The Dunnion Law Firm was able to find a specialist who did more advanced testing and found the client had sustained an injury to both sides of her lumbar spine. The specialist devised a treatment plan that involved steroid injections into the joints of the spine designed to relieve her pain. She was thrilled with the care she got and the firm ultimately was able to settled the claim for the $50,000 limits of the defendant’s policy.

Dunnion Achieves $105,000.00 Settlement for Hanford Man

Jim Burns — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:35:00 GMT

In March of 2011, a Hanford man was on his way to meet his wife for lunch when another driver pulled out from a stop sign directly into his path, totaling out the family's 1993 Honda Accord. After the accident, the man mistakenly believed he was "O.K." until three days later when he could barely move. This, coupled with the fact that the at-fault insurance company was ignoring the client's calls to obtain payment for his wrecked car, his wife called the Dunnion Law Firm for help. Fortunately for the client, he received excellent medical care for his trauma related injuries by following the the Dunnion Law Firm's advice and proven track record of medical management principles which resulted in policy limits settlements from two insurance companies, the at fault party's company and his own underinsured motorist coverage. The client and his wife are extremely grateful to the Dunnion Law Firm as they plan to realize their life long dream to buy a home to grow old in together with the settlement money they will receive.

Tired of insurance companies jerking you around after an accident? Don't wait, call the Dunnion Law Firm right away and avoid the hassle of dealing with insurance companies. Let us work for you!

Client Obtains Nearly $1,000,000 On A Hotly Disputed Liability Case

Jim Burns — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:55:00 GMT

Our client was driving in the early morning hours when she saw a shuttle van in her lane and she swerved into the oncoming lane. The other vehicle denied being in our client's lane and the other driver blamed our client for being in his lane and causing the accident. However, the other driver left a skid mark in our client's lane and the police investigation found the other driver at fault. Our client sustained serious injuries including multiple leg fractures, chest fracture, and nearly died. She was airlifted to a trauma center and spent weeks in rehab after multiple surgeries.

In depositions, the investigating officer testifed our client told him she was not wearing her seatbelt. The corporate defendant and their insurance company denied causing the accident, blamed our client for causing her injuries by her admission she was not wearing her seat belt, did not believe all of her injuries were from the accident as she has prior injuries, did not believe she was permanently disabled and could not work, did not believe she needed future surgery, and fought us in litigation for nearly two years. The other side hired 8 experts to fight our client.

The Dunnion Law Firm spent nearly $40,000.00 to hire the best accident, biomechanic, and medical experts to fight the defendants back, took and

defendant fifteen (15) party, officer, firefighter and doctor depositions, and conducted two confidential mediations. The matter settled at the 2nd

mediation for nearly seven figures. The Dunnion Law Firm then negotiated significant reductions with our client's health insurer which allowed our client to receive a substantial portion of her settlement. She will never have to work again due to her settlement.

When you or a loved one is seriously injured in a car, motorcycle, truck, pedestrian or bicycle accident, you need the best attorneys fighting for you. Call The Dunnion Law Firm and we will beat up the insurance company for you and get you what you deserve - it's just that easy.

Dunnion Law Firm Fights Unfair "Special Investigation" By An Insurance Company And Obtains $90,000 Settlement For It's Client

Jim Burns — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:45:00 GMT

A young San Jose office administrator and mother of two small children found herself under "special investigation" by an insurance company for the woman who rear-ended her. Despite all of the administrator’s proper and reasonable efforts to bring her claim to this insurance company and her efforts to obtain medical treatment for her persisting shoulder pain, this young woman was considered "suspicious" by the defendant’s carrier. Frustrated by her doctors’ apparent inability to diagnose the causes for her persisting shoulder pain and by the other driver’s insurance company’s tactics, this young woman contacted the Dunnion Law Firm for help. She was immediately referred for orthopedic consultation and shoulder surgery was recommended. The Dunnion Law Firm also rejected the insurance company’s arguments against their client, calling their special investigation of the case improper and filed a lawsuit. The client eventually had the surgery. Yet despite being presented with significant surgical bills, the other driver’s insurance company still refused to pay any reasonable settlement to the woman. Other law firms would have given up and just settled for any offer. The Dunnion Law Firm fought for more settlement money for its client even up until several weeks before trial, and they got it, $90,000 for this young mother. The Dunnion Law Firm will always go to the mat for every client, regardless of the tactics used by insurance companies to obstruct claims and delay payments. Our clients deserve nothing less.

Woman Receives $100,000.00 after Striking the Rear of Reckless Lane Changer

Jim Burns — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 23:40:00 GMT

A 56 year old clerical worker was on her way to her job on September 7, 2011 when she was surprised by a fellow motorist. The motorist, apparently in a big hurry and not willing to go with the flow of traffic, crowded the woman three times before finally cutting directly in front of her. Unable to stop she struck the rear of his vehicle. The collision caused major damage to her 2003 Cadillac automobile. The impact spun the steering wheel catching and breaking the tip of her little finger. She went to the hospital where the finger was splinted. Unfortunately, she continued to have problems with the digit that resulted in the necessity of surgery. She was left with a deformed small finger. She felt threatened by the potential loss of her clerical job and at 56 feared she would not be able to find other employment. She contacted the miscreants insurance carrier and was offered $3,000.00 to settle her claim. They told her the injury was not serious and her job fears were irrational. She knew this was not right and hired The Dunnion Law Firm. The attorneys and staff went to work immediately to establish the bonafides of her claims. She had confirmed anxiety based on the potential loss of employment. She had a finger that would not be the same even after the surgery. The adverse driver had a minimal insurance policy on his 1992 Ford and no assets could be confirmed. The Dunnion Law Firm assured his carrier that they would file a lawsuit and the company agreed to tender its limits of $15,000.00. There after, an under insured motorist claim was perfected with the client’s carrier, GMAC Insurance company, and they paid an additional $85,000.00 in damages for a total settlement of $100,000.00. All after an initial offer to the clerical worker without an attorney in the amount of $3,000.00.

Modesto Woman Receives Policy Limits Settlement from Two Insurance Companies

Jim Burns — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 23:55:00 GMT

In November of 2010, a Modesto woman was stopped at a stop sign when another driver slammed into the back of her car, pushing her vehicle into the car stopped in front of her. The collision was so violent that her automobile was rendered a total loss. After the accident, the client was being badgered by the insurance companies involved to give statements, sign this and sign that, causing her to become overwhelmed with it all. Her husband picked up the phone and called the Dunnion Law Firm and asked them to help. The client thereafter received excellent medical treatment from a local chiropractor and orthopedic surgeon. Luckily for the client, her injuries were non-surgical in nature, however, the pain and suffering she had to put up after the collision greatly impacted her and her family. The Dunnion Law Firm presented her personal injury claim to the at fault party's insurance company and immediately obtained the driver's $25,000.00 policy limits. Unfortunately, that amount would in no way compensate the client for what she went through. After the client's claim against the at fault party was resolved, The Dunnion Law Firm turned their attention to the client's own insurance company and presented the balance of her claim to her underinsured motorist carrier, who promptly paid the client's $25,000.00 underinsured motorist policy limits. As an added benefit for the client, The Dunnion Law firm also collected the client's $10,000.00 medical payments policy limits from her insurance company, which resulted a $60,000.00 combined settlement for the client. The client and her husband are very pleased with the staff at the Dunnion Law Firm, the professional manner in which the firm presented her case to both insurance companies, and most important of all, the Dunnion Law Firm's success in achieving the maximum settlement available from both insurance companies!

Don't let insurance companies give you the run-a-round after an accident. Call the professionals at the Dunnion Law Firm and let us take care of your claim.

Pick up Driver Clips Bicyclist with Mirror Causing Fall

Jim Burns — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:55:00 GMT

On June 24, 2009 a 31 year old female hotel worker was struck while riding her bicycle in the early morning hours. She was on her way to work at 5 a.m. to set up breakfast for guests at a local hotel when the diver of a pick up failed to see her and struck her with his side view mirror. She was tossed from the bicycle and felt pain in her shoulder. The pick up driver drove on thinking at first that he had struck a cone or some other inanimate object. Fortunately, he decided to turn around and see what happened finding the woman on the ground in considerable pain. He summoned an ambulance and the police . He told the police he did not know what happened. He said he did not see the woman and may have struck her with his truck. The woman was transported to the hospital where tests were run and she was found to have a hair line fracture of her clavicle. She was placed in a sling and released home otherwise uninjured. She made a claim against the driver of the pick up which was rejected by his insurance company. Frustrated the woman called The Dunnion Law Firm. The attorneys at The Dunnion Law Firm immediately filed a law suit and took the deposition of the pick up driver. Under extensive cross examination he was forced to admit his fault in failing to observe the woman. The Dunnion Law Firm there after took the insurance carrier to mediation where the insurance company finally accepted responsibility and paid the woman $137,500.00 for her hospital expenses and personal injury. Fortunately, the woman only lost $234.00 in wages which were also paid the pick up driver’s insurance company.

Woman Burned By Heater Gets a Near Six Figure Settlement

Jim Burns — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Our client was a wedding guest at a fancy Bay Area hotel. She had been drinking and didn't see a space heater due to the dark conditions of the event.

She bumped into the heater and suffered serious 2nd degree burns on her arm. The hotel staff said she was drunk, didn't call her an ambulance and simply tried to apply ointment, which worsened the injury. Our client hired a first attorney who did not investigate her claim, and who let her bills go to collections. She was frustrated and then hired The Dunnion Law Firm. The hotel denied all responsibility and blamed our client.

We assisted the client with obtaining a plastic surgery consultation, collected the hotel's med pay funds for the client which the prior attorney failed to do, we negotiated with the hospital to pull her bill from collections, and then negotiated her bill even further upon settlement. We also secured professional studio photos of the client's injuries. The matter settled shortly after we filed suit at at mediation for a confidential sum. Thankfully, our client's scars subsided greatly and were barely visible at time of settlement, although she claimed ongoing psychological injuries due to her period of disfigurement.

Do not let the insurance company bully you around. Do not hire an inexperienced attorney who is too busy to properly assist you with documenting all

aspects of your claim. You need The Dunnion Law Firm's experience, know how, and track record for successful results on your side. Call The Dunnion Law Firm immediately when you or a loved one suffer an injury due to someone else's negligence. It's just that easy.

Uninsured Motorcyclist Settles Claim for $500,000.00

Jim Burns — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:05:00 GMT

It was a bright, sunny April morning when a 45 year old heavy equipment mechanic who was recovering from an industrial injury, decided to take his girl friend for a short ride on his Harley. He had been off work for sometime due to the industrial injury and consequently did not register or insure the motorcycle that was essentially stored. It was just going to be a short ride on this pleasant day. It could not have been a more perfect day. The fired up the Harley rode out and gassed it up. The had just purchase fuel and were going to cruise back home. As they entered the highway everything changed. The young woman passenger saw a vehicle approaching fast from the rear. She yelled "watch out". The Harley Road King jerked to the right. They were struck on the right rear and sent flying toward the shoulder of the road. The SUV that had struck them went to the left. Because this is just going to be a short ride on a sunny day neither the driver or passenger of motorcycle were "geared up" for the ride. The woman sustained scars to her lower legs; the man sustained a fractured right tibia that required surgery. The insult to the injury was that the driver of the SUV blamed the motorcycle rider claim he was going slow and swerved in front of her SUV. Faced with bleak prospects and no way to pay their medical bills the couple hired The Dunnion Law firm. Immediately, the attorneys hired an expert in accident reconstruction who was able to prove that the swerving of the motorcycle was in fact an avoidance maneuver and not negligent riding as claimed by the SUV driver. When presented with this evidence along with medical reports presented by The Dunnion law firm, the insurance company for the SUV driver decided to settle rather than fight. The insurance carrier offered a structured settlement that had a value in excess of $500,000.00 to resolve the claims that had initially been denied.

Modesto Woman gets Surgery and a Settlement Despite Small Insurance Policy

Jim Burns — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 21:15:00 GMT

Our client was hit when the defendant ran a red light and smashed into the side of her car. She suffered multiple serious injuries, including an ulnar fracture and neck and back sprains. When she called the Dunnion Law Firm, she urgently needed surgery to prevent her arm fracture from healing improperly, but did not have health insurance and could not afford to pay for the surgery.

The Dunnion Law Firm immediately arranged the necessary treatment at no out-of-pocket cost to the client. Within two weeks of hiring The Dunnion Law Firm, our client was able to complete the follow-up treatment recommended by emergency room physicians, including open reduction internal fixation of the arm fracture and treatment with a neurologist to address other neurological injuries.

Unfortunately, our client had very little insurance coverage of her own and the defendant had a liability policy of only $50,000. Following her treatment, The Dunnion Law Firm negotiated over $30,000 in healthcare bill reductions so that, instead of finishing her case owing money, she was able to pay all her medical bills and take home a substantial sum for her pain and suffering.

Defendant Has No Insurance in Rollover Accident

Jim Burns — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 21:35:00 GMT

Dunnion’s client was driving his Ford Ranger down the road when an uninsured motorist pulled out from a stop sign, directly in his path. The truck had nowhere to go, and glanced off the front of the car and rolled over. The client injured his shoulder and back and went through a course of physical therapy that got him back to work. The Dunnion firm started to negotiate a settlement with his uninsured motorist carrier. The client is a farmer, however, and the work is hard, so it wasn’t long before his back started acting up again. This time he went to a different doctor who recommended a controversial surgical procedure that might help. After surgery the farmer was able to return to his crops and the $120,000.00 settlement negotiated by Dunnion was four times the initial offer.