Results
Al Goodman’s positive and impressive track record of verdicts and settlements are the proof that he fights and works hard to obtain justice for innocent victims and their families.
Catastrophic brain injury from falling hard packed snow and ice
$500,000
The victim pulled up as close as she could to an outside ATM machine at a western Massachusetts bank at about 12 noon one winter day. She had to get out of her car and walk to the ATM to do her transaction. The ATM was covered by a sloping canopy. It had snowed in the past 24 hours, but that morning temperatures had risen to just above freezing by noon. When she approached the ATM, hard packed snow and hard ice slid off and hit her on the head and shoulders.
She was dazed. Her two young children witnessed this and it was recorded on bank surveillance video. She was taken by ambulance to the hospital, checked out and released. But the next morning, her partner found her passed out on the kitchen floor. The local ER arranged for her to be life-flighted to a regional trauma center where she was admitted with a diagnosis of concussion and possible brain damage. Over the next two or three years while she was treated, Attorney Goodman filed suit and engaged in extensive pre-trial discovery, including numerous depositions of all people involved. It was a rigorous battle to convince the bank’s insurance carrier that they were responsible for not warning customers, closing off the ATM, or having the canopy raked off in order to eliminate the unreasonable risk of harm that snow and ice posed to customers attempting to use the outdoor ATM. Finally, the insurance carrier decided they risked paying a huge verdict at trial and settled the case for a confidential settlement. The helicopter bill was $50,000 and other hospital bills added up to hundreds of thousands. Attorney Goodman and his team made sure all liens were satisfied and bills resolved with a substantial settlement still left for the innocent victim.
$500,000
The victim pulled up as close as she could to an outside ATM machine at a western Massachusetts bank at about 12 noon one winter day. She had to get out of her car and walk to the ATM to do her transaction. The ATM was covered by a sloping canopy. It had snowed in the past 24 hours, but that morning temperatures had risen to just above freezing by noon. When she approached the ATM, hard packed snow and hard ice slid off and hit her on the head and shoulders.
She was dazed. Her two young children witnessed this and it was recorded on bank surveillance video. She was taken by ambulance to the hospital, checked out and released. But the next morning, her partner found her passed out on the kitchen floor. The local ER arranged for her to be life-flighted to a regional trauma center where she was admitted with a diagnosis of concussion and possible brain damage. Over the next two or three years while she was treated, Attorney Goodman filed suit and engaged in extensive pre-trial discovery, including numerous depositions of all people involved. It was a rigorous battle to convince the bank’s insurance carrier that they were responsible for not warning customers, closing off the ATM, or having the canopy raked off in order to eliminate the unreasonable risk of harm that snow and ice posed to customers attempting to use the outdoor ATM. Finally, the insurance carrier decided they risked paying a huge verdict at trial and settled the case for a confidential settlement. The helicopter bill was $50,000 and other hospital bills added up to hundreds of thousands. Attorney Goodman and his team made sure all liens were satisfied and bills resolved with a substantial settlement still left for the innocent victim.
Fall on ice outside apartment results in miscarriage
$425,000
A young single mother who was under 20 months pregnant fell outside the front door of her apartment building while attempting to walk her daughter to the bus stop in the early winter morning. After she noticed bleeding, she went to the hospital. They assured her the baby would be alright. However, a few days later, she felt terrible and in the bathroom noticed a lot of blood. She returned to the hospital and they confirmed she had suffered a miscarriage. The insurance company for the apartment denied liability, so a suit was filed. Attorney Goodman was able to prove that the duty owed to the apartment dweller was a safe entrance and exit and that duty could not be delegated to an outside contractor. The light rain earlier had created a dangerous invisible sheen of ice that caused the woman to fall on her back. Attorney Goodman retained an expert gynecologist and professor to examine the medical records and take a statement from the woman.
The doctor determined that it was more likely than not that the fall resulted in loss of the baby. At an all day mediation after suit was filed, Attorney Goodman spent a lot of time eliciting from the plaintiff the severe emotional and psychological stress she suffered along with the immeasurable grief that followed the loss. It was a very emotional session for all involved. The insurance carrier adjuster in charge was very moved by the presentation that Attorney Goodman had put together and decided that the young woman was very deserving of significant compensation for her loss.
$425,000
A young single mother who was under 20 months pregnant fell outside the front door of her apartment building while attempting to walk her daughter to the bus stop in the early winter morning. After she noticed bleeding, she went to the hospital. They assured her the baby would be alright. However, a few days later, she felt terrible and in the bathroom noticed a lot of blood. She returned to the hospital and they confirmed she had suffered a miscarriage. The insurance company for the apartment denied liability, so a suit was filed. Attorney Goodman was able to prove that the duty owed to the apartment dweller was a safe entrance and exit and that duty could not be delegated to an outside contractor. The light rain earlier had created a dangerous invisible sheen of ice that caused the woman to fall on her back. Attorney Goodman retained an expert gynecologist and professor to examine the medical records and take a statement from the woman.
The doctor determined that it was more likely than not that the fall resulted in loss of the baby. At an all day mediation after suit was filed, Attorney Goodman spent a lot of time eliciting from the plaintiff the severe emotional and psychological stress she suffered along with the immeasurable grief that followed the loss. It was a very emotional session for all involved. The insurance carrier adjuster in charge was very moved by the presentation that Attorney Goodman had put together and decided that the young woman was very deserving of significant compensation for her loss.
Fractured hip results in total hip replacement in retired school teacher who slipped and fell on rolled up carpet
$400,000
This retired gentleman suffered a catastrophic injury that changed his retirement plans with his wife. After spending several days in the hospital and several weeks in rehab, he returned home to Florida. They had stopped in their travel camper to visit their son in Massachusetts while on the way to Maine for the summer when this preventable fall occurred. Suit was filed and discovery completed. The insurance carrier recommended mediation. The parties agreed to mediate before JAMS in Philadelphia Pennsylvania when the man was on his way up from Florida to Maine the next year. The retired Federal judge was very impressed with the credibility of the victim and his long tenure as a teacher and long marriage. Based on the strength of the case Attorney Goodman developed and his very impressive clients, the case settled for six figures.
$400,000
This retired gentleman suffered a catastrophic injury that changed his retirement plans with his wife. After spending several days in the hospital and several weeks in rehab, he returned home to Florida. They had stopped in their travel camper to visit their son in Massachusetts while on the way to Maine for the summer when this preventable fall occurred. Suit was filed and discovery completed. The insurance carrier recommended mediation. The parties agreed to mediate before JAMS in Philadelphia Pennsylvania when the man was on his way up from Florida to Maine the next year. The retired Federal judge was very impressed with the credibility of the victim and his long tenure as a teacher and long marriage. Based on the strength of the case Attorney Goodman developed and his very impressive clients, the case settled for six figures.
Apartment fall going out the steps results in a trimalleolar ankle fracture to a young man
$325,000
The man rented an apartment in a two family house. He was going out at 10:30 p.m. to get some snacks at the convenience store up the street. Lighting was poor on the porch, there was no hand railing on the steps, and there was a defect that caused him to fall. The exit did not comply with state health, safety and building codes according to an inspector retained by Attorney Goodman on behalf of the client. The man’s career as a chef was derailed due to his inability to stand long hours as required and to carry heavy items up and down stairs. The case was settled without suit as the insurance carrier recognized the catastrophic nature of the injury and the permanent diminution of earning capacity that the young man had suffered. A structured settlement was constructed for the man giving him monthly income for 30 years guaranteed, going up 3% per year, with an additional significant sum at the end of the 30 year period.
$325,000
The man rented an apartment in a two family house. He was going out at 10:30 p.m. to get some snacks at the convenience store up the street. Lighting was poor on the porch, there was no hand railing on the steps, and there was a defect that caused him to fall. The exit did not comply with state health, safety and building codes according to an inspector retained by Attorney Goodman on behalf of the client. The man’s career as a chef was derailed due to his inability to stand long hours as required and to carry heavy items up and down stairs. The case was settled without suit as the insurance carrier recognized the catastrophic nature of the injury and the permanent diminution of earning capacity that the young man had suffered. A structured settlement was constructed for the man giving him monthly income for 30 years guaranteed, going up 3% per year, with an additional significant sum at the end of the 30 year period.