Bay Area News
Plaintiffs Trial Against Lawrence Livermore Lab Moved to February 27, 2012
On January 26, 2012 over one hundred plaintiffs met for a rally and news conference to discuss strategy and developments as the first of their lawsuits near trial. The first trial of five plaintiffs, originally set for February 6, 2012 was moved by the court to February 27, 2012.
The lawsuit against Lawrence Livermore National Lab, as referenced in a 9/11/11 New York Times article, is a reflection of very serious issues confronting the laboratory. 130 former plaintiffs allege they were illegally laid off by LLNS in a flagrant demonstration of age discrimination. On Tuesday, September 13, 2011, the lawsuit (filed May 2009), was set for trial for February 6, 2012 in the Alameda County Superior Court. The law firm of Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli & Brewer, Oakland, California represents the 130 plaintiffs in this consolidated action. The story, in the New York Times article, of one of the plaintiffs, who was laid off after having worked over 38 years for the lab, is a poignant example of loss and suffering underscoring this lawsuit.
A Pattern of Tragic Accidents on Marsh Creek Road in Contra Costa County
The hazards of roadway construction and resurfacing are underscored in a October 11, 2011 Contra Costa Times article. The article references the "tragic pattern" of accidents on Marsh Creek Road, including that which occurred in 1994 to our client Yvette Harden. Attorney Steven Brewer of our firm, Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli & Brewer, represented the Harden Family in a lawsuit against Contra Costa County et. al. He notes how this catastrophic accident caused life altering injuries and trauma to Yvette Harden and her family. After 15 years of Yvette Harden's terrible suffering, she expressed a desire to end her life. Her mother, Diana Harden, went to the Oakland care facility ending her daughter's life and then her own. The hazardous road construction on this bad stretch of highway has spanned 14 years involving approximately 15 serious accidents.
San Bruno Gas Main Explosion
A gas main explosion in the Bay Area community of San Bruno erupted into a massive fire on Thursday September 9th that caused burn injuries, some critical, to more than 50 people. The San Mateo County coroner is confirming at least four fatalities.
Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli & Brewer has a team of experienced attorneys who understand the personal devastation caused by this tragedy, and we understand the need for an advocate. Ultimately, we seek justice for our clients so that we can improve the quality of their lives.
The law firm has helped burn victims recover millions of dollars for pain and suffering and medical bills. Burn and explosion cases handled by the lawyers of Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli & Brewer include:
- In February 1999 there was a terrible fire and explosion at the Tosco Refinery in Martinez, California. Four workers were killed. One was seriously burned and almost died (he had over forty surgical procedures). Our firm represented him and the family of another worker and obtained substantial settlements against Tosco, their employer (overcoming a claim of workers compensation being their exclusive remedy).
Result: Substantial confidential settlement. - A 30 year old laborer was burned over 30% of his body when a high pressure gas pipeline exploded in Walnut Creek after being struck by a back hoe during digging operations. Our client contended the pipeline owner created a dangerous condition of property by failing to have proper maps locating the pipeline and mismarking the location of the pipeline for the dig.
Result: The case settled for $8,500,000.00. - 6 individuals were burned in a propane gas explosion. Case involved negligence and product liability issues.
Result: $3 million settlement.
Case News
As the Occupy Oakland General Strike was raging outside the courthouse doors, local business owner, Peter Allen was waiting for a jury to tell a large corporation that Oakland would not tolerate lies and greed in business dealings. Mr. Allen had been fighting a lawsuit against Texas-based corporation, Healthtronics, Inc. for three years. Closing arguments were given on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 the same day as the Occupy Oakland General Strike. On Friday, November 4, 2011, the jury returned a verdict in Mr. Allens favor for over $9 million finding that Healthtronics had breached the contract and made intentional misrepresentations to Peter Allen.
Ten longtime AAA employees file age discrimination lawsuit
On November 1, 2010 ten longtime employees of AAA filed suit in Contra Costa Superior court against CSAA for what they deem a statewide campaign to get rid of older, longtime sales agents from CSAA's branch offices.
$1.5 Million Verdict Believed to be Largest Verdict Awarded In Yolo County for Personal Injury
On May 29, 2010, a Yolo County jury awarded plaintiff Jacobs the sum of 1.5 million dollars. The plaintiff suffered severe injuries when his trailer was rear-ended when the driver of a big rig fell asleep at the wheel. In addition the plaintiff will receive an additional $442,000 in interest plus costs bringing the final judgment close to $2 million dollars.
$2,150,876.75 Final Judgment After Verdict in Employment Retaliation Case
On April 14, 2010, Judge David B. Flinn of the Contra Costa County Superior Court signed a final judgment in the amount of $2,150,876.75 in favor of Plaintiff J. Steven Wiley. The judgment includes $1,029,500 in attorneys fees and $121,376.75 in costs, added to the jurys verdict of $1,000,000 awarded on March 10, 2009. Case was appealed and confidential settlement was negotiated.
Firm News
Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli & Brewer
A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
The firm of Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli & Brewer is proud to be named by the Recorder Newspaper as one of the top 10 Leading Plaintiffs Bay Area Employment Law Groups. The firms employment law team consists of partners J. Gary Gwilliam and Randall E.Strauss, associates Jayme L. Burns and Robert J. Schwartz, and legal assistant Marilyn Gee-Cartwright. The team represents plaintiffs in discrimination, harassment, retaliation and whistleblower cases. The firm congratulates the employment law team for its results as well as the compassion it demonstrates in the representation of plaintiffs who have suffered wrongful termination.
Since 1978, Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli & Brewer, has championed the cause of victims rights. The firm specializes in complex and serious cases in the personal injury and consumer law field including employment, civil litigation, professional malpractice, product liability, bad faith insurance and business fraud. Composed of four partners; J. Gary Gwilliam, Steven R. Cavalli, Steven J. Brewer and Randall E. Strauss and two associates; Jayme L. Burns and Robert J. Schwartz, the firm has attained a superior track record for verdicts and settlements.
We are pleased to announce a recent $9,263,345 verdict in a business fraud case. The judgment, with attorneys fees and potential pre-judgment interest, could be in excess of ten million dollars. The Alameda County jury found against a multi-national company for breach of contract and intentional and negligent misrepresentation.
Robert J. Schwartz Associate
Gwilliam Ivary Chiosso Cavalli & Brewer
Is pleased to announce that
Robert J. Schwartz
Has joined our firm as an associate attorney
Effective October 2011 Robert J. Schwartz is an associate attorney at our law firm.
Robert J. Schwartz received his BA in English from the University of Michigan and his Juris Doctor from the University of Oregon in 2007.
During law school he was the recipient of numerous certificates: In Public Interest and Public Service Law, Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Pro Bono.
After graduating from law school Mr. Schwartz was a staff attorney for Tri-Valley CAREs, a non-profit environmental organization and he later joined the law firm of Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli & Brewer. He is a member of the California State Bar and has practiced in the areas of employment law, personal injury, products liability, civil litigation and business litigation.
We welcome Rob to our practice and we believe he will contribute a wealth of knowledge to our firm.
Jayme L. Burns Associate
Gwilliam Ivary Chiosso Cavalli & Brewer
Is pleased to announce that
Jayme L. Burns
has joined our firm as an associate attorney
Effective December 6, 2010 Jayme L. Burns is an associate attorney at our law firm.
Jayme Burns is a graduate from the University of San Francisco, School of Law 2010.
She was a member of USF Law Review, National Moot Court Competition, Wagner Labor and Employment Law Moot Court Competition. During law school Jayme clerked for Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli & Brewer as well as another plaintiff law firm focusing mostly on employment, personal injury and civil rights law. She clerked as well for the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California.
Jayme is a member of the California State Bar and she is practicing in the areas of employment law, products liability, personal injury and civil rights law.
Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso Cavalli & Brewer is proud of Jayme's achievement from clerking at our firm to becoming an associate attorney. We welcome her practicing with the firm as it continues, after 30 years to specialize in personal injury and consumer law including civil litigation, employment law, professional malpractice law, product liability, bad faith insurance, and business fraud.
Randall Strauss Partner
Gwilliam Ivary Chiosso Cavalli & Brewer
is pleased to announce that
RANDALL EDWARD STRAUSS
Has Become a Partner of the Firm
Effective January 1, 2010 Randall Strauss was elevated to partner. The firm takes pride in announcing that Randall Strauss is the first partner to be added to the practice of Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli & Brewer in over twenty years.
Randall Strauss has extensive experience in the areas of employment law, personal injury, civil litigation and civil appeals, including serving as co-lead counsel in a recent employment trial resulting in a million dollar verdict.
A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, and Boalt Hall School of Law, he was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1993 as well as the US. District Courts and the Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit in succeeding years.
Gwilliam Ivary Chiosso Cavalli & Brewer welcomes Randall Strauss as the firm continues, after 30 years, to specialize in personal injury and consumer law including civil litigation, employment law, professional malpractice law, product liability, bad faith insurance, and business fraud.
Top 2009 Verdict
The firm of Gwilliam Ivary Chiosso Cavalli & Brewer is listed as achieving as achieving one of Verdict Search's 2009 Top Verdicts in California. Read more>
Articles
- Broker Liability in Truck Accident Cases
- Is Professionalism Lacking In Professional Sports?
- Emotional Distress Damages in Employment Cases: Contract Remedies, Tort Remedies and the Importance of the Expert Witness
- Driver Fatigue: a Danger to All
- Are Bay Area Roadways Safe?
- California's Tort Reform Puts Injured Patients at a Disadvantage
- Age Discrimination Plaintiffs Still Have Options Under California Law
- Medical Mistakes and Negligence Have Devastating Effects
