The following introduces but a few of the cases tried or settled by Matonich and Persson. Also see the In the News tab for additional information. It must be noted that past results of cases handled by our firm provide no guarantee of future results. Also, recently there have been a number of settlements of major cases handled by Matonich and Persson where the defendants and/or their insurance companies have demanded confidentiality as a part of the settlement agreement. Thus, the amounts of these settlements cannot be published.
Jury Verdict $23,200,000: A February, 2010, jury in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, awarded $23,200,000 to a Paynesville family whose daughter is severely handicapped due to complications during her birth in June, 2007, at the Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar. As the result of being deprived of oxygen during delivery, the child has multiple health problems, including spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, cortical impairment, neurological difficulties, and seizures.
Jury Verdict $9,000,000: An Itasca County jury awarded a Grand Rapids family $12,000,000 for the death of a 47-year-old male pilot operating a Cirrus airplane when it crashed south of Hill City, Minnesota. Our firm successfully proved that the pilot was not given adequate training in this aircraft which led to this fatal crash. The award was reduced by 25 percent for the pilot's own negligence.
Jury Verdict $3,158,000: A defect in an aerial lift device caused a 33-year-old former Marine who had served in the Persian Gulf War serious injuries to his leg. The plaintiff fell while dismounting the lift bucket, tearing ligaments in his right knee that required three extensive reconstructive surgeries. Complications prevented him from returning to work. The equipment being used by the plaintiff failed to provide adequate foot space and mandated handholds to safely descend the bucket. The insurance company offered $400,000 prior to trial.
Jury Verdict $408,000: A retired 61-year-old male was left with a soft tissue back injury as a result of an auto collision. The initial offer by the Underinsured Motorist Carrier was $30,000 on top of the $30,000 achieved from primary insurance coverage.
Settlement $2,350,000: A retired couple was involved in a motor vehicle accident which left the wife severely injuried with a fractured ankle and foot, a broken wrist, a fractured vertebrae, and abdominal injuries that all required surgery. This settlement was successfully achieved utilizing exhibits created for trial that included photographs, charts, and excerpts of medical records graphically displaying the pain and suffering endured by these clients.
Settlement $7,750,000: A 38-year-old mother of six children was rendered quadriplegic when her car, traveling at 40 mph because of a fuel problem, was hit from behind by a semi-trailer truck. Evidence was provided that showed that the drivers of the trucks involved in the crash did not have the minimum amount of rest required by federal trucking regulations, that they kept inaccurate log books, and that they were speeding and following too closely.
Jury Verdict $509,244: A 40-year-old carpenter incurred a low back injury in a motor vehicle accident, requiring back surgery and time off work. Prior to trial, the insurance company offered $30,000 on top of the $100,000 in primary coverage. At the time of trial (1997), this award was believed to be the largest Underinsured Motorist Verdict in northeastern Minnesota.
Jury Verdict $13,473,588: A young man was rendered paraplegic when a forklift he was operating overturned, throwing him to the ground and pinning him beneath the equipment’s overhead protective structure. The defendant initially offered $1,000,000 which was withdrawn prior to trial. At the time that this verdict was handed down by the jury, it was the largest verdict to date in the State of Minnesota in a personal injury case. Immediately following this case, the defendant and other manufacturers began to place seatbelts and other restraints on forklifts.
Settlements: Our firm represented several of the families of victims of a 1993 commercial plane crash. The settlements were subject to confidentiality agreements.
Jury Verdict $2,031,332: A young mother and her two daughters were injured when a drunk driver crossed over the center line, hitting the van the mother was driving head-on. The jury found the intoxicated driver 65% negligent and the liquor establishment that served the driver 35% negligent. Additional Award: Over $1,000,000 in additional monies were received in an out-of-court pre trial settlement with the car dealership which sold the van and with the second stage manufacturer that performed a conversion on the vehicle by removing the driver’s seat and installing a new seat with only a lap seat belt that provided inadequate protection for the mother.
Jury Verdict $1,444,500: Plaintiff alleged that emergency room care was sub-standard in failing to stop a stroke in progress when the plaintiff’s wife brought her husband there when he showed stroke-like symptoms. After leaving the hospital, the man suffered a stroke that left him disabled. No offer was forthcoming from the insurance company prior to trial.
Jury Verdict $1,236,567: A 34-year-old housewife, survived by a husband and two teenage children, died in an automobile accident caused by an intoxicated driver. The jury found the intoxicated driver 55% responsible and the private club that served him liquor 45% responsible and awarded an amount considered large by 1988 standards.
Jury Verdict $850,000: While verifying the load of an oil tanker/trailer, a mine worker slipped as he was climbing back down from the top of the tank. The plaintiff’s injury required eight major back surgeries and extensive physical therapy. The manufacturer of the tanker/trailer was held liable when the lack of a safety railing was attributed as the cause of the accident.
Settlement $3,750,000: Ed Matonich was co-counsel in the wrongful death of a minor child killed in the State of Wisconsin. The parents witnessed the defendant's truck driving over their six-year-old daughter.
Jury Verdict $300,000: A man and woman wrongly accused of shoplifting were awarded this verdict after an offer of $50,000 was made prior to trial.
Settlement $1,700,000: A young husband and father died as a result of an auto accident when a motorist failed to stop at a stop sign, crashing into the victim’s vehicle. As a result of this accident, four-way stop signs were installed at this intersection.
Arbitration Award $700,000 in a wrongful death claim: A young heavy equipment mechanic was electrocuted when a crane operator cut a power line, causing a high voltage line to strike the mechanic. The victim was survived by his mother and sister.
Structured Settlement $9,065,000: A ten-year-old boy riding his bicycle on a city street near a highway overpass was struck by a large truck. The boy suffered internal injuries and was hospitalized for an extensive period. An actual settlement of $750,000 was awarded. Through an investment agreement brokered at the time of settlement, the child—through periodic payments—stands to collect over $9 million during the span of his life. Prevailing interest rates are a major factor when considering such a settlement.
Matonich and Persson has brought to trial numerous other personal injury claims that have resulted in jury verdicts between $100,000 and $500,000 and has settled hundreds more. Again, past successes are not a guarantee of future results. Nonetheless, Matonich and Persson has a reputation of working hard and devoting the resources necessary to achieve fair results for all of our clients.