Attorney Richard M Gerry's Legal Cases

Wrongful death

Graham v. ValueOptions

Jan 01, 2008

OUTCOME: Jury Verdict: $36 million

Patrick Graham was shot to death by a dangerously mentally ill patient under the supervision of ValueOptions. The jury found ValueOptions 90% at fault for failing to seek a court order to evaluate the ... shooter for involuntary commitment. Court testimony showed that the shooter had not received treatment for eight months, even though a nurse practitioner charged with his care had warned ValueOptions that the shooter could be a danger to himself and others due to his deteriorating condition. The $36 million jury award was Arizonaâ€™s fifth-largest for 2008 (Arizona Attorney, June 2009) and the 58th largest in the nation (Verdict Search).

Wrongful death

Adamowicz v. Ryan et al.

Jan 01, 2007

OUTCOME: Settlement: $3 million

A 68-year-old woman was killed by a drunk-driving teenage girl. The victimâ€™s surviving adult children sought compensation from the teenagerâ€™s parents, for allowing her to drive despite knowing she ... had a history of alcohol abuse; from the owner of the home at which the girl attended a party where alcohol was provided; and from the mini-mart that sold her alcohol. Settlement was based on claims of negligent entrustment of a vehicle to a minor, parental liability for children under the age of 21 who supply alcohol to minors, employer liability for employees who sell alcohol to minors, and punitive damages for conscious disregard of the probable injury and death caused by intoxicated minors.

Civil rights

Hudgins v. Southwest Airlines

Jan 01, 2006

OUTCOME: Jury verdict: $9 million

Two men were directed and given written authorization to carry their weapons aboard a Southwest Airlines flight. Southwest then reported that the men did not have authorization. The men were arrested, ... jailed and prosecuted for taking weapons aboard the plane and faced ten years in prison. Southwest refused to provide to the FBI the facts proving the menâ€™s innocence unless the men signed a release agreeing not to sue Southwest for their false arrests. The $9 million jury award was among Arizonaâ€™s top ten jury awards for 2006 (Arizona Attorney, June 2007).

Wrongful death

Esson v. LaPuesta Del Sol

Jan 01, 2004

OUTCOME: Jury award:$2.6 million

Death of a 29-year-old man killed in an auto accident by a drunk bartender. Although the accident occurred after work, jury found the bar 100% responsible for negligently allowing its employee to get d ... runk on the job.

Personal injury

Burton v. State and Yavapai County Fair

Jan 01, 2003

OUTCOME: Settlement: $9 million

Jockey suffered severe brain injury from a head-on collision with another horse, which was blinded by mud after slipping on the track and ran in the opposite direction. State stewards and track officia ... ls failed to cancel races due to unsafe track conditions.

Wrongful death

Chadwick v. State of Arizona

Jan 01, 2000

OUTCOME: Jury verdict: $4 million

Nine-year-old girl strangled by her brother, who was on supervised probation. Trial verdict after Supreme Court reversed Court of Appeals' dismissal. Supreme Court ruled probation officer had a duty to ... report foreseeable danger to the court.

Wrongful death

Landers v. State and City of Phoenix

Jan 01, 1998

OUTCOME: Settlement: $4.5 million

Police officer killed when drunk driver crossed through freeway median. Unsafe freeway design without median barrier to prevent cross over collisions.

Richard M Gerry's Legal Cases (7)

Graham v. ValueOptions

Adamowicz v. Ryan et al.

Hudgins v. Southwest Airlines

Esson v. LaPuesta Del Sol

Burton v. State and Yavapai County Fair

Chadwick v. State of Arizona

Landers v. State and City of Phoenix