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NOTEWORTHY CASES
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Michael Salasky has obtained
substantial verdicts and settlements
for his clients and his legal work has
been featured in the press, including
front page stories in Virginia Lawyers
Weekly. Several of his cases have
even set new precedents. While he
has handled many interesting and
noteworthy cases over the years, it
should be noted that the results
posted here may not be relied on to
predict the outcome in any other case. Each case depends upon a variety of
unique factors, and each case turns on unique circumstances. You should
always consult an attorney regarding your legal problem.
$500,000 Verdict for Car Crash Driver
Our client was driving to work with the right of way when a dump truck pulled
away from a stop sign directly across her path. Even though the dump truck
driver had a duty to yield the right of way, he alleged that our client was
improperly passing another vehicle when the accident occurred and denied
liability. Our client developed shoulder pain and back pain, both of which
required surgical repair. After the defendant refused to offer a fair settlement, a
jury returned a verdict in favor of our client for $500,000.
$700,000 Recovery for Truck Driver
The plaintiff was operating a commercial truck along a two lane highway. A dump
truck driver waiting to enter the highway saw plaintiff approaching and, thinking
that he had sufficient time, turned onto the highway and into plaintiff's lane of
travel with the intention of moving in the same direction as plaintiff. Plaintiff's fully
loaded truck could not be slowed within the space allotted by defendant's
maneuver, despite plaintiff's frantic attempts to brake, and plaintiff struck the
rear of defendant's dump truck. Plaintiff sustained bilateral wrist fractures as well
as right ankle, tibia and fibula fractures. Plaintiff underwent open reduction and
internal fixation of both wrists with plating, as well as intramedullary nailing of
right tibia-fibula. A subsequent surgery was performed to accomplish reduction
and fixation with plating for the ankle, and to remove pins from the wrist. He
suffered a 15% impairment of each upper extremity, and a 30% impairment of
the lower extremity.
$500,000 Settlement for Molestation Victim
Our client was an office worker who remained at work after dark. As she left her
office, she requested that the security guard walk her to her car. The security
guard accompanied our client, and began to speak to her in inappropriately
familiar terms. After our client entered her vehicle, the security guard also got
inside and forced her to engage in improper touching. Michael Salasky’s
investigation revealed that the security guard had previously been fired from
other jobs for harassment. The case settled on the eve of trial for $500,000.
Jury Awards Policy Limits for Back Pain
Plaintiff developed complaints of shooting pain down her back and thigh
after being struck in the rear of her auto. She treated for six weeks
and was released as asymptomatic. An MRI was eventually ordered which
showed a protruding disc at L5-S1, which her physician identified as the
source of her pain. Defendant's opposing medical expert testified that plaintiff
developed pain from disc degeneration sometime after the accident and her
complaints were not accident related. The jury returned a verdict for
$50,000 which, coincidentally, was the amount of the coverage.
Award Made After Undergoing Back Surgery
The plaintiff was rear-ended on the interstate and began to experience
numbness and tingling down her right leg. A conservative course of physical
therapy and medication failed to relieve her back pain and leg pain. An MRI
revealed an extruded disc at the L5-S1 level and, with steadily worsening
complaints, the plaintiff finally decided to undergo back surgery. Her spine
surgeon removed the extruded disc and inserted screws and rods into the spine
to promote stability and relieve the pain. Even though an opposing
neurosurgeon testified that the accident did not cause plaintiff's injury, Mr.
Salasky overcame this testimony and obtained a six figure confidential
settlement for the plaintiff. Click here to read transcript of Mr. Salasky cross-
examining the defendant's expert neurosurgeon.
Policy Limits for Wrongful Death Claim
Our client was crossing the street intending to catch a bus. Tragically, she was
struck and killed in the intersection. The responsible driver claimed that he had
the green light while entering the intersection. Michael Salasky investigated the
case and located a witness who was at the scene but who later moved to
Georgia. This witness stated that our client was lawfully crossing the
intersection. The driver’s insurance company eventually paid their entire policy
limits to the family of the victim.
Michael Salasky Establishes New Rule of Liability for
Taxicabs
Taxicab companies often operate their business by hiring drivers, furnishing
them with cabs, and sending them on calls from customers. The cab companies
profit from these activities, but what happens when their driver crashes into
innocent drivers and causes serious injury? Suddenly the cab company may
claim that their driver is an “independent contractor” and claim that the company
is not liable for his carelessness. This argument succeeded for many years and
cab companies often escaped all responsibility. Michael Salasky was the first
lawyer in the state to change this rule, and to persuade a court that cab
companies cannot delegate away the risks of their operations. In Belcher vs.
Yellow Cab, 61 Va. Cir. 684 (2002) it was established for the first time that cab
companies cannot escape the risks associated with their operations.Download
Case file in PDF format
Our Client Collects Life Insurance – Even Without a Life
Insurance Policy
Our client gave birth to a child with a serious congenital heart defect. Her life
insurance agent convinced her to apply for life insurance for this child, and
helped her complete the application. When the child unfortunately died soon
thereafter, the insurance company showed that it had never received the
application, had never issued a life insurance policy, and in any event the child
was uninsurable. Michael Salasky convinced the court that, even though the
company never issued a policy, the actions of the agent bound the company.
Life insurance proceeds were ultimately paid to the mother of the deceased child.
substantial verdicts and settlements
for his clients and his legal work has
been featured in the press, including
front page stories in Virginia Lawyers
Weekly. Several of his cases have
even set new precedents. While he
has handled many interesting and
noteworthy cases over the years, it
should be noted that the results
posted here may not be relied on to
predict the outcome in any other case. Each case depends upon a variety of
unique factors, and each case turns on unique circumstances. You should
always consult an attorney regarding your legal problem.
$500,000 Verdict for Car Crash Driver
Our client was driving to work with the right of way when a dump truck pulled
away from a stop sign directly across her path. Even though the dump truck
driver had a duty to yield the right of way, he alleged that our client was
improperly passing another vehicle when the accident occurred and denied
liability. Our client developed shoulder pain and back pain, both of which
required surgical repair. After the defendant refused to offer a fair settlement, a
jury returned a verdict in favor of our client for $500,000.
$700,000 Recovery for Truck Driver
The plaintiff was operating a commercial truck along a two lane highway. A dump
truck driver waiting to enter the highway saw plaintiff approaching and, thinking
that he had sufficient time, turned onto the highway and into plaintiff's lane of
travel with the intention of moving in the same direction as plaintiff. Plaintiff's fully
loaded truck could not be slowed within the space allotted by defendant's
maneuver, despite plaintiff's frantic attempts to brake, and plaintiff struck the
rear of defendant's dump truck. Plaintiff sustained bilateral wrist fractures as well
as right ankle, tibia and fibula fractures. Plaintiff underwent open reduction and
internal fixation of both wrists with plating, as well as intramedullary nailing of
right tibia-fibula. A subsequent surgery was performed to accomplish reduction
and fixation with plating for the ankle, and to remove pins from the wrist. He
suffered a 15% impairment of each upper extremity, and a 30% impairment of
the lower extremity.
$500,000 Settlement for Molestation Victim
Our client was an office worker who remained at work after dark. As she left her
office, she requested that the security guard walk her to her car. The security
guard accompanied our client, and began to speak to her in inappropriately
familiar terms. After our client entered her vehicle, the security guard also got
inside and forced her to engage in improper touching. Michael Salasky’s
investigation revealed that the security guard had previously been fired from
other jobs for harassment. The case settled on the eve of trial for $500,000.
Jury Awards Policy Limits for Back Pain
Plaintiff developed complaints of shooting pain down her back and thigh
after being struck in the rear of her auto. She treated for six weeks
and was released as asymptomatic. An MRI was eventually ordered which
showed a protruding disc at L5-S1, which her physician identified as the
source of her pain. Defendant's opposing medical expert testified that plaintiff
developed pain from disc degeneration sometime after the accident and her
complaints were not accident related. The jury returned a verdict for
$50,000 which, coincidentally, was the amount of the coverage.
Award Made After Undergoing Back Surgery
The plaintiff was rear-ended on the interstate and began to experience
numbness and tingling down her right leg. A conservative course of physical
therapy and medication failed to relieve her back pain and leg pain. An MRI
revealed an extruded disc at the L5-S1 level and, with steadily worsening
complaints, the plaintiff finally decided to undergo back surgery. Her spine
surgeon removed the extruded disc and inserted screws and rods into the spine
to promote stability and relieve the pain. Even though an opposing
neurosurgeon testified that the accident did not cause plaintiff's injury, Mr.
Salasky overcame this testimony and obtained a six figure confidential
settlement for the plaintiff. Click here to read transcript of Mr. Salasky cross-
examining the defendant's expert neurosurgeon.
Policy Limits for Wrongful Death Claim
Our client was crossing the street intending to catch a bus. Tragically, she was
struck and killed in the intersection. The responsible driver claimed that he had
the green light while entering the intersection. Michael Salasky investigated the
case and located a witness who was at the scene but who later moved to
Georgia. This witness stated that our client was lawfully crossing the
intersection. The driver’s insurance company eventually paid their entire policy
limits to the family of the victim.
Michael Salasky Establishes New Rule of Liability for
Taxicabs
Taxicab companies often operate their business by hiring drivers, furnishing
them with cabs, and sending them on calls from customers. The cab companies
profit from these activities, but what happens when their driver crashes into
innocent drivers and causes serious injury? Suddenly the cab company may
claim that their driver is an “independent contractor” and claim that the company
is not liable for his carelessness. This argument succeeded for many years and
cab companies often escaped all responsibility. Michael Salasky was the first
lawyer in the state to change this rule, and to persuade a court that cab
companies cannot delegate away the risks of their operations. In Belcher vs.
Yellow Cab, 61 Va. Cir. 684 (2002) it was established for the first time that cab
companies cannot escape the risks associated with their operations.Download
Case file in PDF format
Our Client Collects Life Insurance – Even Without a Life
Insurance Policy
Our client gave birth to a child with a serious congenital heart defect. Her life
insurance agent convinced her to apply for life insurance for this child, and
helped her complete the application. When the child unfortunately died soon
thereafter, the insurance company showed that it had never received the
application, had never issued a life insurance policy, and in any event the child
was uninsurable. Michael Salasky convinced the court that, even though the
company never issued a policy, the actions of the agent bound the company.
Life insurance proceeds were ultimately paid to the mother of the deceased child.
Call 757-627-3333
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