Very few clients want their case to go to trial. Most would like to reach a fair settlement. However, insurance companies are motivated solely by profit and have no desire to pay a fair settlement. Their desire is to pay as little as they can to settle your case. This is why it is important to have an attorney who is willing to go to trial in your corner. Surprisingly, many attorneys who call themselves "Trial Attorneys" rarely ever go to trial. Insurance companies know this and evaluate your case, in part, based on which attorney is representing you. If you have an attorney who is ready and willing to go to trial representing you, this will actually increase the likelihood of settling your case for a fair amount. When you select an attorney to represent you, ask that attorney about their trial experience and verdicts they have obtained. You have a right to know how experienced your attorney is. You are placing your welfare and trust in his or her hands.
Examples of Verdicts Obtained by Daniel J. O'Neill
The most recent 2009 verdict by Daniel J. O'Neill was obtained on behalf of a Morro Bay High School student who was injured due to the negligence of a school employee and a dangerous condition of public property. The Defense offered $250,000 to settle the case prior to trial and, at trial, asked the jury to award only $15,000. The jury returned a verdict of $1,320,000 inclusive of costs.
Other representative verdicts of interest:
- Verdict of $1,300,000 against the California Department of Transportation on behalf of a student who was struck while crossing the street.
- Verdict of $280,000 obtained on behalf of a meter reader who was savagely attacked by a home owner's bull mastiff.
- Verdict of over $300,000 for an elderly woman who was given an overdose of blood thinner medication by a Rite-Aid pharmacist.
- Daniel O'Neill obtained a 6 figure verdict on behalf of his client against Ford Motor Company in a case involving a defective air bag. We believe this to be the first such verdict in an airbag case in the Country against a major auto manufacturer.
- Most cases settle without going to trial and, accordingly, Mr. O'Neill has been able to obtain a number of 6 and 7 figure settlements on behalf of his clients.
