Arizona Personal Injury Laws

My name is Mark Raczkowski. I’m an attorney at Jones Rackzowski PC in Phoenix, Arizona. Cases resolve at different times depending on what type of case that they are. A case that has relatively uncomplicated issues with minor injuries might resolve within a few months, whereas a case that has complicated issues and very serious injuries might take more than a couple years to resolve. What’s important to know is that my office, my firm, will work as hard as we can to get your case resolved as soon as it can reasonably be done. if you have questions about how long it might take your case to resolve, reach me through my website at www.azpremesislaw.com.

By: Mark Raczkowski

My name is Mark Raczkowski. I’m an attorney at Jones Raczkowski PC in Phoenix, Arizona. The biggest difference between slip and fall cases and other personal injury cases is that most of the time the defendants deny that they’re responsible for your injuries. As a result you have to sue them in order to get the compensation you deserve. My office has spent more than (25) years focusing on slip and fall/trip and fall cases. So we’re prepared to sue defendants if necessary in order to get the compensation that you deserve. It means we’re able– we’re willing to put in the time and the effort that it will take to prosecute the case and to achieve a satisfactory result for you. If you’ve suffered a serious injury as a result of a slip and fall or trip and fall accident, contact me through my website at www.azpremiseslaw.com.

By: Mark Raczkowski

Hi, my name is Nathan Meyer. I’m a partner at Jaburg Wilk. My practice areas include insurance coverage, insurance bad faith, insurance UM and UIM litigation, as well as commercial litigation, professional liability litigation, and general liability litigation. There’s actually been some very favorable rulings for insurance companies regarding punitive damages. It started with a United States Supreme Court case in 2003 in Campbell. There is also recently been some Court of Appeals cases that has significantly reduced punitive damages award amounts to much more reasonable amounts in Arizona.

Reducing Punitive Damage Awards

In the United States Supreme court case “Campbell”, the court actually reduced a $145 million punitive damages award all the way down to a million dollars, or at least they said – they told the Utah Supreme Court, “We’re sending this back to you, and you need to reduce this award to something around a million dollars.”

In a recent Arizona Court of Appeals case, there was a $54 million punitive damages award. And the Court of Appeals initially reduced that from $54 million down to $620,000. Then the Arizona Supreme Court actually reduced it from $620,000 all the way down to $155,000. So it’s a substantial reduction.

Also you have another recent case called “Orellana the Prime Life Insurance Company”, and they reduced a punitive damage award from about $1.3 million all the way down to $320,000. So courts are really reducing some of these egregious punitive damages awards amounts down to something much more reasonable.

3 Factors Courts Consider When Reducing Punitive Damage Awards

In “Campbell V. State Farm”, that 2003 United States Supreme Court case, the court established three guide post a court should look at when they’re reviewing these large punitive damages awards.

One is reprehensibility, the degree of reprehensibility of the defendant’s conduct. Two is the disparity, and that’s where you get the ratio of the punitive damages to the compensatory damages. And the third is comparability to civil authorized fines, and those are usually fines authorized by statutes.

For example, in Arizona there is a maximum $50,000 fine per six month period when you violate the unfair claim settlement practices act. So those are the three things that courts look at when considering whether to reduce punitive damages.

By: Nathan D. Meyer

Do Not Falsify Claims

One of the things that we want to make sure happens is that there are only legitimate claims being brought and pursued through the court system. The court system is overburdened as it is. Only the legitimate cases are the ones that we take. If a case is not legitimate, there’s no room for it at our justice system.

By: Thomas Richardson

You’ll never forget your first car, and you’ll never forget your first car wreck. No car? Medical bills? Can’t work? In a wreck? Need a check? Make one call. That’s all. Lerner & Rowe is the way to go. Call 977-1900.

By: Kevin Rowe

Phoenix Premises Liability

So, you’ve fallen because that employee mopped the floor and didn’t put up a warning sign. The lumbar was stacked too high, came down on top of you, caused you injury. Or you know what, those steps at your apartment complex, the concrete ones that were cracked, finally gave way when you were walking down. All of these are examples of premises liability cases.

Wattel & York

We handle premises liability cases. Many attorneys shy away from these cases, because they require time, they require effort. We pursue them vigorously. If you think you have a premises liability case, because there was a hazard, or an employee caused you harm when you were in their store, give us a call. We’ll evaluate. We’ll pursue your claim just like you were injured in an auto accident. An injury is an injury. You’re entitled to reasonable necessary medical care and thereafter, adequate compensation.

By: David Wattel