Attorney Juan Manuel Armenta's Legal Cases

Workers compensation

JC v OM Contracting

May 01, 2021

OUTCOME: Settled via C&R for $775k

Our client was with another local attorney who recommended he settle his case for $50k. We recommended that he reject that offer. We deposed the spine surgeon and pain management doctor and obtain an e ... xpert vocational report. Our expert concluded that our client was entitled to a total disability finding. The defense hired and expert and he concluded that our client could work. However, under cross-examination at his deposition he admitted that he did not include the pain component in his analysis because the defense attorney had not provided it to him for review. After he was given the pain profile he admitted that our client was entitled to a total disability award. We settled the case for $775K

Workers compensation

SL v Whole Foods

May 01, 2021

OUTCOME: Settled via C&R for $650k, twice the prior offer

After reaching an agreement to settle the case for $325k which would have terminated future medical, the defense lawyer reneged and the matter proceeded to trial which resulted in an award for $145k pl ... us open future medical care. We filed a petition to reopen for new and further disability and went about proving that our client was now entitled to a total disability award which the defense vigorously contested. We deposed the pain management doctor, the psychologist and the PQME. Our vocational expert concluded that our client was entitled to a total disability award. Negotiation power was taken from the defense attorney and by negotiating directly with a senior claims adjuster the case then settled for double the previous deal, $650k.

Workers compensation

JA v. TA Farming Company

Jan 02, 2018

OUTCOME: $2.5 million C&R

Sedgwick delayed surgery causing myelopathy. The defense attempted to blame the myelopathy on a seven year prior ATV accident which only involved the shoulder, on genetic predisposition and finally arg ... ued that there was not one injury but several would would have defeated a 100% case. Defense counsel suggested a C&R in the 500k range in 2014, but nothing firm. The PQME was deposed multiple times as was the spine surgeon. On the day of trial defendant finally agreed to a settlement representing full value of the 100% case.

Insurance

Alzayat v. Sunline Transit Agency

Dec 12, 2017

OUTCOME: Reversal, published case, settlement

The allegations were that Alzayat's supervisor at Sunline Transit Agency lied about the occurrence of a work injury and on that basis the claim was denied. We secured testimony from a co-employee who c ... orobrated the injury and lending support to the allegation that the supervisor lied leading to a very favorable settlement in the workers' compensation matter. We then sued the supervisor and Sunline Transit Agency for insurance fraud under the Insurance Fraud Protection Act. The trial court twice dismissed the case, once on government immunity grounds and the second on litigation privilege grounds, both of which we took up on appeal and won reversals. The Supreme Court denied Sunline's writ of review and we obtained a significant and very favorable settlement which was split between Alzayat as the whistleblower/relator and the Department of Insurance. The case was published at People ex rel. Alzayat v. Hebb (2017) 18 Cal.App.5th 801 and represents a significant IFPA development cited in numerous editorials and other cases.

Personal injury

R v. Callahan

Sep 30, 2016

OUTCOME: $7,000,000.00 verdict, Work Comp paid without credit

R was injured in an explosion at residence under construction. A civil court verdict was entered for $7M plus. Since R was working he was entitled to workers' compensation benefits which he obtained wi ... thout the normal credit due to the employer's negligence. The work comp carrier paid another 250k on top of the net civil verdict. The verdict was successfully defended on appeal.

Employment and labor

AC v. International Lodge - Wage and hour

Jul 14, 2016

OUTCOME: Settled for $80,000.00.

AC was employed as a front desk manager and was denied meal periods and overtime. Within tow months of filing suit we settled the case for $80,000.00.

Workers compensation

Death Case JH v. Rancho Harvest

Jun 08, 2016

OUTCOME: $290k maximum death benefit

JH worked for Rancho Harvest pulling irrigation drip tape from the ground. On his second day he suffered a fatal heart attack while working in 98 degrees heat index. The workers' compensation carri ... er and defense attorney denied that the heart attack was caused by the work, claiming that JH had a weakened cardiovascular system for which they should not be liable. We tried the case and won the maximum death benefits of $290k for the widow and minor child. And, we successfully defended the appea.

Workers compensation

E.C v. GGS Inc.

Mar 31, 2014

OUTCOME: Resolved by settlement

Prior counsel recommended a settlement of $100,000.00. We took over the case and in on year obtained a settlement of $700,000.00.

Workers compensation

M.J. v. G.M. Co.

Oct 18, 2013

OUTCOME: Resolved by settlement days before trial.

Work injury where prior attorney did not explore the possibility of 100% disability. We secured experts, prepared the case for trial and the matter settled for 100% value a few days before trial. Th ... e insurance carrier agreed to accpet a 100% finding and paid a settlement consistent with that finding.

Workers compensation

F. J v. D.P, Inc.

Oct 02, 2013

OUTCOME: Resolved by settlement days before trial.

In a work injury case the lawyer for the insurance company provided a take it or leave it offer of $45k and promised that the offer would never be increased. On our advice the client rejected the offe ... r and we proceeded to prepare for trial including the deposition of an AME. Immediately before trial the defense lawyer raised the offer to $55k, then $65k and ultimately the matter settled for $75k.

Juan Manuel Armenta's Legal Cases (13)

JC v OM Contracting

SL v Whole Foods

JA v. TA Farming Company

Alzayat v. Sunline Transit Agency

R v. Callahan

AC v. International Lodge - Wage and hour

Death Case JH v. Rancho Harvest

E.C v. GGS Inc.

M.J. v. G.M. Co.

F. J v. D.P, Inc.