Notable Case Results in Pennsylvania

Million Dollar Verdicts For Medical Malpractice,

Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation

and Motor Vehicle Accidents

Call Pennsylvania’s Top Law Firm: 800-392-4529

Key Victories

Pribanic & Pribanic Case Results AwardSince Pribanic & Pribanic started, our law firm has taken on cases with significant impact not only for the firm’s clients, but also for the community. This is not an exhaustive list of those cases, but merely highlights examples where the firm obtained  justice for its clients. Call us for help with your case or for questions about the results that have shaped Pribanic & Pribanic’s history:

Pribanic & Pribanic Case Results AwardSince Pribanic & Pribanic started, our law firm has taken on cases with significant impact not only for the firm’s clients, but also for the community. This is not an exhaustive list of those cases, but merely highlights examples where the firm obtained  justice for its clients. Call us for help with your case or for questions about the results that have shaped Pribanic & Pribanic’s history:

Tell Us What Happened: 800-392-4529

*** NO FEE$ UNLESS YOU WIN *** 

Tell Us What Happened

800-392-4529

***NO FEE$ UNLESS YOU WIN***

Brief List of Case Results

Personal Injury Case Results

Victor Pribanic reviewing documents for a personal injury case at the White Oak, PA office. © Pribanic & Pribanic

— National case w/ confidential settlement on the eve of trial — 

In April 2016, General Motors reached a confidential settlement with the Pittsburgh-based law firm Pribanic & Pribanic in a wrongful death lawsuit. READ MORE ABOUT THIS CASE » 

 

Multi-Million Settlement

Cerebral Palsy

A multi-million settlement was achieved during jury selection in this case on behalf of a little girl who suffered from cerebral palsy as a result of her delivery being delayed after having signs of fetal distress.  In addition, the healthcare providers continued to administer Pitocin, a drug that causes contractions to occur, long after signs of fetal distress manifested themselves further impairing the infant’s ability to receive necessary oxygen and resulting in hypoxia and a condition known as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy — which is one of the root causes for cerebral palsy.

Multi-Million Settlement

Hospital Failure to Timely Administer Transfusion in Sickle Cell Patient

A young man who suffered from sickle cell disease was admitted to the hospital because of a rising sickle cell count. The hospital failed to administer a transfusion in a timely fashion, causing a cardiopulmonary arrest and significant long-term organ damage. The case was settled at a mediation before trial.

7-Figure Confidential Settlement

Death Case Attributed to Chantix

A confidential settlement, believed to be among the highest in this multi-district litigation, was reached on behalf of the surviving children of a couple, both of whose deaths were attributed to the husband’s use of Chantix. After using Chantix for approximately one week, the father shot and killed his wife and then himself in the family’s front yard and laid there for hours in plain view of the minor children. The lawsuit claimed, as was supported by appropriate experts, that the use of Chantix incited the husband to the acts of homicide and suicide which lead to the death of him and his spouse.

 

7-Figure Confidential Settlement 

Medication Error Causing Fatal Stroke

The Defendant physician negligently discontinued the patient’s Coumadin causing a disabling and ultimately fatal stroke. The prescription and continued use of Coumadin or some other medication was required in this patient because she suffered from atrial fibrillation which can propagate blood clots which can lead to a stroke as occurred in this case.

Substantial Settlement

Delayed Diagnosis “Mantle Cell” Leukemia

$300,000.00 settlement was reached shortly after filing suit on behalf of an individual who suffered from a delayed diagnosis of “mantle cell” leukemia resulting in a delay in treatment that may have worsened his prognosis.

 

CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT

Medical Malpractice

Plaintiff, Laurene Harshbarger, suffered a retinal detachment (macula-off) and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) in her right eye, after her cataract surgery, which her treating optometrist, Joseph Ieni, O.D., and her treating ophthalmologist, John Brozetti, M.D., failed to timely diagnose and treat, due to their respective failures, at multiple visits, to perform dilated retinal examinations.

Due to delay in definitive diagnosis and treatment, Laurene’s retinal condition progressed to a more advanced disease, with a worse prognosis and subsequently a poor visual outcome in her right eye, to the extent that Laurene is functionally blind in that eye.

On February 9, 2022, case settled, at mediation, for a confidential sum.

 

$103 Million Verdict

Accounting Negligence / Fraud

The firm took on the task of handling a non-jury trial that would last nine months. At the center of the controversy was an accounting firm’s role in understating the value of various corporations while overstating the liabilities. The accounting issues resulted in massive harm to our client. Our lawyers established the financial negligence and malfeasance. During the discovery phases of the case, our attorneys proved the falsification of a key discovery document that resulted in significant sanctions. Ultimately, justice prevailed at trial and the result was a $103 million verdict for our client.

 

$21 Million Settlement

Product Liability / Medical and Hospital Malpractice

In a case that combined facets of both product liability and hospital negligence, the firm obtained a life changing result for the client assuring that a severely injured child will have the proper treatment and care over the remainder of his life. The injured infant and his family will no longer have to worry about financial issues.

 

$10,000,000 Settlement

Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

 

$8.5 Million Settlement

Automobile Accident

The client suffered permanent and extensive internal injuries stemming from an automobile accident. Following extensive discovery, the case was favorably resolved. The client no longer has to worry about future medical care.

Tell Us What Happened: 800-392-4529

*** NO FEE$ UNLESS YOU WIN *** 

Tell Us What Happened

800-392-4529

***NO FEE$ UNLESS YOU WIN***

Confidential Settlement

Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Paraplegia caused by negligently performed laminoplasty.

 

 

Confidential Settlement

Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Death of a teenaged child for failure to diagnose and treat hemophagocytic lympohistiocytosis.

 

 

$2,675,000 Settlement

Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

Failure to timely diagnose and treat heart attack resulting in heart damage.

 

 

Confidential Settlement

Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

Failure to timely diagnose and treat hyponatremia (low sodium).

 

 

Confidential Settlement

Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

Common bile duct injury occurring during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal).

 

 

Confidential Settlement

Medical Malpractice Attorney

Death of a child from hyperkalemia (high potassium levels).

 

 

Confidential Settlement

Medical Malpractice Attorney

Failure to refer a 60 year old man for bypass surgery in the face of worsening heart condition.

 

 

$2 Million Dollar Settlement

Medical Malpractice Attorney

Leg amputation from post-operative infection.

 

 

Confidential Settlement

Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Negligently performed cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal).

 

 

Confidential Settlement

Medical Malpractice

Death of a woman for failure to properly and timely diagnose and treat bile obstruction.

 

 

$1 Million Dollar Settlement

Medical Malpractice

Failure to diagnose and treat diabetic ketoacidosis resulting in heart attack.

 

 

Confidential Settlement

Medical Malpractice

Failure to timely diagnose and treat breast cancer.

 

 

$1.9 Million Dollar Settlement

Medical Malpractice

Excessive steroid administration during chemotherapy causing avascular necrosis.

 

 

Confidential Settlement

Failure to Diagnose 

Failure to advise patient of suspicious mass seen on an abdominal CT scan which was later diagnosed as ovarian cancer resulting in death.

 

 

Confidential Settlement

Amputation Lawsuit

Leg amputation following failure to perform proper orthopedic exam where a patient was experiencing claudication.

 

 

Confidential Settlement

Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Intraoperative stroke because of failure to do adequate pre-operative work up.

 

 

Confidential Settlement

Medical Malpractice Attorney

Death resulting from coronary artery dissection during cardiac catheterization.

 

 

Confidential Settlement

Birth Injury Lawyer

Brachial plexus injury resulting from negligent delivery following shoulder dystocia in infant.

 

 

Confidential Settlement

Brain Injury Lawyer

Failure to adequately care for ICU patient with traumatic brain injury.

$6,340,000 Verdict

Motorcycle Accident

Various injuries, including closed head injury.

 

$8 Million Settlement

Product Liability / Medical and Hospital Malpractice

When a child suffers catastrophic injuries, he and his parents are confronted with the need for intensive care over the remainder of the child’s life. In this case, the firm was able to obtain a life changing result for the child. The settlement provided for the child and his family’s future financial needs.

 

$5.8 Million Settlement

Automobile Accident

We were able to obtain a settlement for a minor that sustained permanent internal injuries stemming from a single car accident. The minor’s future medical care was taken care of as a result of the settlement.

 

$5 Million Settlement

Product Liability / Defective Design

A child was severely and permanently injured by a defective product causing permanent brain injuries. The child was expected to have significant future health care needs. Through diligent discovery methods, a “missing” yet key witness was located and the case settled. The settlement provided the financial security the child and family needed.

 

Confidential Settlement

Medical Malpractice

A settlement was achieved with a hospital and physicians on behalf of a 56-year old man who died after his heart attack was misdiagnosed as appendicitis and he suffered a second fatal heart attack during the operation for the supposed appendicitis. He was survived by his wife and three (3) adult children.

 

Confidential Settlement

Wrongful Death of 34-Year Old Woman During Delivery of Twin Girls

A 34-year old woman arrives at a hospital for a scheduled cesarean section. Multiple attempts were made to administer a spinal anesthetic, Duramorph 0.2 mg, via a #22 gauge seven inch needle (spinal anesthesia needle should have a maximum length of 5″) into Plaintiff’s back while she was in a sitting position. During this procedure the doctor perforated the woman’s splenic artery. From 7:10 a.m. until 2:58 p.m., when she was pronounced dead, she hemorrhaged from what was later found to be a through and through puncture of her splenic artery inflicted by the seven inch needle used by the doctor at the wrong location. An autopsy performed found the cause of death to be hypovolemic shock caused by massive internal hemorrhage as a result of an iatrogenically induced proximal splenic artery perforation.

 

$3 Million Settlement

Medical Malpractice Pittsburgh

We were able to obtain a settlement due to a birth injury caused by a failure to perform a timely Cesarean section. The infant suffered hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy as a result.

 

$2.3 million Settlement

Medical Malpractice

Nerve injury during back surgery resulting in Foot Drop.

 

Confidential Settlement

Delayed Diagnosis and Treatment of Hydrocephalous

A 45-year old man fell 14 feet from a ladder in his garage and sustained several injuries, including two skull fractures. He was taken to Defendant Hospital, seen by a neurosurgeon, and admitted. He died unexpectedly six days later. Plaintiff died from hydrocephalus and raised intracranial pressure due to meningitis that developed during treatment of multiple injuries. The hydrocephalus developed sometime between October 14th and October 18th, 2008. If Defendant Hospital had conducted a CT head scan early on the 18th, when the Plaintiff complained of a severe headache, and the nurses noted Plaintiff’s confusion and mental changes — it is more likely than not that the hydrocephalus would have been seen. A constant ventricular drain could have been inserted to prevent his brain death.

 

$2.2 Million Verdict

Defamation / U-5 Defamation / Fraud / Intentional Interference with Contract 

Blamed by his own firm for securities fraud he did not commit, our client needed to fight back against one of the largest securities companies on Wall Street. His U-5 had been blackened and his securities career decimated. The client sought to clear his name and resume his once successful securities career. Over the course of many months in a lengthy arbitration proceeding, the client was vindicated. His U-5 was expunged and he was able to resume his financial career. At the time, the $2.2 million verdict ranked as one of the top ten defamation verdicts in FINRA (then NASD) history.

 

Confidential Settlement

Birth Injury Case due to Toxic Dose of Magnesium

An infant was delivered prematurely at approximately 26 weeks gestation at Defendant Hospital. Plaintiff-mother was treated with magnesium sulfate, a tocolytic medication which is used to slow down uterine contractions and delay the onset of labor. At the time of delivery the infant was in a breech position and required a Caesarean-section delivery. His Apgar scores were eight at one minute and nine at five minutes. He had a weak cry at birth with spontaneous respirations. However, he was noted to be cyanotic and shortly after delivery he was intubated and placed on mechanical ventilation. Weaning from the ventilator was initiated on October 7, 2004. Due to minor feeding intolerance and dark brown flecks in his gastric aspirate, the infant was made N.P.O. (nothing by mouth). Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) and lipids were ordered by Doctor on October 10, 2004 at a rate of 132cc/kg/day or 5.5 cc/hour. TPN therapy is the provision of necessary nutrients through administration of an intravenous solution containing protein, sugar, fat, minerals and vitamins and is ordered as a substitute or supplement for oral or enteral feedings to ensure that caloric and nutrition requirements are being met. The amount of TPN a patient receives is determined by his/her weight and specific caloric and nutritional needs. Defendants utilized a standard physician’s order sheet for TPN orders. The ordering physician provided the patient’s weight, amount of solution to be prepared, rate of delivery, the appropriate concentration of amino acids and dextrose and chose the appropriate dosage of the following elements: Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Acetate, Calcium Gluconate, Phosphate, Magnesium Sulfate, Neonatal Trace Minerals and Selenium. The dosage of pediatric multivitamin was calculated by the pharmacist. A copy of the completed order was then sent to the pharmacy for preparation. While preparing the TPN solution, Defendants, acting through their pharmacy and employee pharmacists, incorrectly added a toxic dosage of magnesium. The pharmacist preparing the TPN solution miscalculated, erroneously measured and/or incorrectly entered the magnesium dosage when preparing Plaintiff’s TPN solution. As a direct result of the toxic magnesium overdose, the infant suffered brain damage as a result of the negligence of the Defendants.

 

$1.9 Million Settlement

Truck Accident

A $1.9 million settlement was achieved on behalf of the family of a 25 year old man who struck a garbage truck which was making an improper turn. The settlement will allow his wife and minor children the financial security that he could have afforded them during his life.

 

$1.51 Million Verdict

Medical Malpractice 

The jury returned a verdict in the amount of $1,511,756.00 in Erie County in favor of our client whose Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy was not treated, resulting in permanent injuries to his leg and ankle. No offer of settlement was made prior to the trial.

 

$1.3 Million Settlement

Motorcycle Accident

Our client was the operator of a motorcycle which collided with another vehicle that had only $15,000 in liability coverage. After collecting the liability limits, Plaintiff pursued an underinsured motorist claim on the policy affording coverage for the motorcycle which Plaintiff was operating. The motorcycle was owned by Plaintiff’s employer, and had underinsured motorist benefits in the amount of $1.5 million. Plaintiff’s injuries included a mild closed-head injury, an injury to his left arm involving the brachial plexus nerve and an injury to his right knee. Plaintiff was employed as a motorcycle mechanic on the day of the injury, earning approximately $15,000 per year and claimed an inability to return to his time-of-injury employment. Plaintiff’s special damages include lost wages ranging from $400,000 to $900,000 and future medical expenses in the form of a life-care plan in the amount of approximately $225,000. The case was settled for $1.3 million two days prior to the scheduled arbitration hearing date.

 

$1.255 Million Verdict

Automobile Defect / Defective Brakes

Our client suffered a closed head injury resulting in brain damage when he was rear ended. The defendant driver contended that because the truck he was driving was not equipped with front brakes, he was unable to stop the vehicle in time to avoid the accident.

 

$1.175 Million Verdict

Automobile Defect / Defective Design 

Our client was injured when his vehicle was struck by a Chevy Blazer. The Blazer driver had rolled through a stop sign causing the two vehicles to collide. The Blazer driver claimed that his vehicle’s anti-lock brake system was defective and prevented him from stopping. The trial focused on GMAC’s role in the accident.

 

$1.1 Million Verdict

Medical Malpractice 

Our client was injured when the defendant orthopedic surgeon negligently lacerated his anterior tibial artery during knee surgery and then failed to timely diagnose the injury resulting in the development of compartment syndrome and dropped foot.

 

Confidential Settlement

Medical Malpractice 

A settlement was achieved with a hospital on behalf of an 84-year old man who was neglected by the nursing staff at the facility after our client had undergone back surgery. Because he was not monitored properly, he suffered complete paraplegia and required around the clock hospital care until his death several years later. A settlement was achieved on behalf of his estate shortly after he passed away and will benefit his adult children.

 

Confidential Settlement

Medical Malpractice

A settlement was achieved on behalf of an 87 year old man who died as a result of improper suctioning and oxygen supplementation. Although defendants often attempt to establish that the value of an elderly person’s life is not as significant, the settlement reflects the fact that this is untrue.

 

Confidential Settlement

Medical Malpractice

A settlement was achieved on behalf of a 61 year old woman who underwent a bilateral mastectomy for suspicion of cancer, however, after the operation, no cancer was found. A settlement was reached with the operating surgeon that allowed our client to recover her dignity and restore her physical condition.

 

$900,000.00 Settlement

Motor Vehicle Accident

A policy limits settlement for client who suffered a concussion, post-concussion syndrome, and chronic post-traumatic headaches following a motor vehicle crash.

 

$675,000

Personal Injury Motor Vehicle Crash

 

$375,000

Personal Injury Premises Liability

 

$115,000.00 Settlement

Motor Vehicle Accident

Obtained for a client who suffered concussion following a motor vehicle crash.

 

$150,000.00 Settlement

Defective Product

Obtained for a client who suffered inhalation injury as a result of defective product warnings.

 

$450,000.00 Settlement

Medical Malpractice

Obtained for medical malpractice victim.

 

$500,000.00 Settlement

Medical Malpractice

Obtained for medical malpractice victim.

 

$125,000.00 Settlement

Motor Vehicle Accident

Obtained for a client who suffered back injury following a motor vehicle crash.

 

$140,000.00 Settlement

Motor Vehicle Accident

Obtained for a client who suffered leg injury following a motor vehicle crash.

 

$600,000 Verdict

Medical Malpractice / Stillbirth of Child

We were able to obtain a verdict in favor of a young mother who lost her child as a result of miscommunication among the treating physicians which led to a failure to properly monitor the infant who died prior to birth. This case is believed to be the largest of only several plaintiffs’ verdicts that have ever been obtained in Butler County, Pennsylvania, in a medical malpractice case.

 

$500,000 Settlement

Snowmobile / Truck Accident

We were able to obtain a favorable settlement for our client after he sustained substantial injuries stemming from a snowmobile and truck accident. We were brought in on referral from another firm to try the matter and ultimately resolve it.

 

$425,000.00 Settlement

Reached with Federal Government in Fatal Boating Accident

We represented the families of two men who were killed in a tragic boating accident in 2010 when a current sucked their boat toward the water flowing from a dam on the Allegheny River near Harmar, PA. The Army Corps of Engineers’ sign rule was violated when there were no warning signs near the dam.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-north/feds-to-pay-to-settle-fatal-boating-accident-663074/#ixzz2cnVDPNFt

$621,313.27 Awarded

Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Failure to timely treat blood clot following orthopedic surgery.

 

 

$300,000 Settlement

Nursing Home Neglect

Nursing home assault.

 

 

$250,000.00 Settlement

Nursing Home Neglect

Nursing home negligence.

$150,000.00 SETTLEMENT

Workers’s Compensation Lawyer Settlement: Michael Costello v. Rostraver Township

Claimant/injured worker was a 67 year old male who was injured on December 2, 2017, at which time he was employed as a volunteer fireman for Rostraver Central Volunteer Fire Company.  He was working on one of the fire trucks at the fire department when he suffered what might be called a heart attack but more specifically a cardiac tamponade due to rupture of the ascending aortic aneurysm and died.  He was survived by his wife Janice Costello age 67.  A Fatal Claim Petition was filed with the Workers’ Compensation Bureau.  A highly qualified medical professional was secured by Claimant’s counsel Jeffrey A. Pribanic in order to offer an opinion on the cause of death and its relationship to Mr. Costello’s work as a volunteer fireman on December 2, 2017.  The case was litigated over many months, depositions of his fellow firefighters at the Rostraver Central Volunteer Fire Company were obtained.  The case was ultimately successfully settled by way of a Compromise and Release Agreement for the sum of $150,000.00.  

 

$102,500.00 SETTLEMENT

Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Case: Richard Tyree v. Kindred Oilfield Services, LLC

Claimant/injured worker was a 69 year old male who was employed hauling frack water from natural gas well sites when he was injured on October 18, 2018. He sustained a fall injuring his low back.  He was later granted workers’ compensation wage and medical benefits however his employer subsequently filed a Petition to Suspend his benefits based on an allegation that Claimant had been offered a job within his restrictions and therefore sought to stop his workers’ compensation wage benefits.  The Employer sought a supersedeas of the Claimant’s benefits which was denied by Interlocutory Order.  Claimant’s counsel Jeffrey A. Pribanic secured medical expert opinions from an orthopedic specialist and a physical medicine and rehab specialist in order to defend against the Petition to stop Claimant’s benefits.  The case was contested and litigated for a period exceeding one year.  The parties were ultimately directed to mediation, which resulted in a successful settlement by way of a Compromise and Release Agreement whereby the Employer agreed to settle the Claimant’s case by payment to the Claimant in the amount of $102,500.00. 

 

$80,000.00 SETTLEMENT

Workers’ Compensation: Sharon Umbel v. Ravi Balu, DMD PC

Claimant/injured worker was a 54 year old female who was injured on May 21, 2015 while working in a dental office.  She sustained an injury to her knee.  The injury occurred in April of 2015, when she was 54 years of age.  A Notice of Temporary Compensation Payable was issued which later converted to a Notice of Compensation Payable and workers’ compensation wage benefits and medical benefits were afforded Ms. Umbel.  Thereafter following extensive medical care including surgery to the knee which later developed an infection requiring additional surgery the employer/insurance carrier sought to terminate her benefits by way of a Petition to Terminate Benefits.  In response Claimant’s counsel Jeffrey A. Pribanic filed a separate Claim Petition and Petition to Review Compensation Benefits to expand the description of the original work injury.  After extensive litigation including testimony by the Claimant two medical experts on behalf of the Claimant and a medical expert in support of the Petition to Terminate by the defense a completely favorable decision was obtained through the Workers’ Compensation Judge denying the Petition to Terminate Benefits, and granting the Claim Petition and Petition to Review Compensation Benefits filed on behalf of the Claimant Sharon Umbel.  Sharon Umbel therefore continued to receive workers’ compensation wage benefits and medical benefits on and into the indefinite future.  Approximately two years following the original decision the claim was later successfully settled by way of a Compromise and Release Agreement for the sum of $80,000.00.

 

$71,000.00 SETTLEMENT

Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Result: Michael Bertonaschi v. N. Glantz & Son LLC Glantz Holding Inc.

Claimant/injured worker was a 56 year old male who was injured on January 31, 2018, at which time he was employed as a cargo delivery person operating a cargo van which carried plexiglass and other materials which he was required to deliver.  He sustained an injury to his right shoulder and left elbow.  He was ultimately fired by his employer while still working with the work injury.  Thereafter a Claim Petition was filed by Jeffrey A. Pribanic on behalf of Mr. Bertonaschi seeking to reinstate his workers’ compensation benefits.  Claimant’s treating physician was a clinical associate professor of orthopedic surgery at UPMC who offered opinions that the Claimant Michael Bertonaschi developed medial epicondylitis as a result of the work injury and was therefore clearly related to work and was at least partially disabled as a result of that injury.  He was also diagnosed with a right shoulder injury and underwent shoulder surgery.  The case was submitted to mediation resulting in a successful settlement by way of a Compromise and Release Agreement in the amount of $71,000.00. 

 

Confidential

Timothy Jeffcoat v. U.S. Steel Corporation

Amy Jeffcoat, Personal Representative of the estate of her husband Timothy Jeffcoat vs. US Steel.  Timothy Jeffcoat was on May 29, 2017, a 44 year old gentleman employed as a sheet finisher at the United States Steel Edgar Thompson Plant in Braddock, PA.  On the morning of May 29, 2017, he was required to walk through an extensive complex of stairways and corridors, both up and down stairs.  Videotape was obtained showing Mr. Jeffcoat ascending a set of stairs when immediately thereafter he collapsed in the corridor suffering cardiac arrest.  He was taken by ambulance to Jefferson Hospital where he was intubated, placed on a ventilator and stabilized.  He ultimately underwent stent placement however and unfortunately he became critically ill and transferred to Allegheny General Hospital for further care.  He required extensive medical care for a period of approximately 30 days while a patient at Allegheny General Hospital where his condition deteriorated and ultimately gave rise to his death on July 1, 2017. 

A Fatal Claim Petition was filed by Jeffrey A. Pribanic on behalf of the surviving wife Amy Jeffcoat and two minor children.  This case was extensively litigated.  Claimant secured the services of a topnotch cardiologist for an opinion on causation regarding the death of Mr. Jeffcoat and its relationship to his employment.  The Defendant U.S. Steel secured the services of two experts in defense of the Fatal Claim Petition one of the experts was an expert in cardiovascular disease and internal medicine who offered an opinion that Mr. Jeffcoat’s death was not related to the course and scope of his employment.  Defendant also obtained the services of an additional expert, an ergonomic and safety expert who purported to offer an opinion that Mr. Jeffcoat’s death was not related to the physical act of the lengthy walk into the mill, which included the physical act of descending and ascending stairs.  Depositions were taken of all the experts.  Claimant’s surviving wife Amy Jeffcoat also testified.  The case was extensively briefed and submitted to a workers’ compensation law judge in Pittsburgh who issued a very favorable decision granting Amy Jeffcoat survivor benefits.  Which, by the way, was a Godsend for Amy Jeffcoat and her two minor children.

Are you looking for legal help with a leading Pennsylvania law firm? Contact our award-winning team at Pribanic & Pribanic for a free consultation: 800-392-4529

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