Young Mother's Death Caused By Improper Radiation Treatment

Michels & Watkins represented a young mother diagnosed with lymphoma. She received radiation treatment and soon thereafter noticed weakness in her legs. After investigating the radiation treatment, it was concluded that her spinal cord had been burned due to a miscalculation of the distance of the radiation port from her skin.

Hospital Radiates Wrong Part of Child's Brain

A 15-year-old girl with a brain tumor received radiation treatment by an HMO. Her medical records and radiation films were reviewed by the head of pediatric radiation treatment at Harvard University, who concluded that the defendant had radiated the wrong part of her brain. The girl's tumor had been allowed to grow for years after her treatment and now threatened her life. Following years of litigation, the defendant paid the complete value of the case.

Terminally Ill Girl Loses Sight Due to Improper Prescription Dosage

A terminally ill girl with an aggressive cancer was given a chemotherapy prescription for ten times the appropriate dosage. The over-prescribed dosage resulted in blindness. The defendants originally offered a small amount because of the California law limiting of damages for suffering, and because they contended the child would die soon. Michels & Watkins obtained a substantial settlement on behalf of the client for triple the original amount offered.

Hospital Violates Local and Federal Laws Almost Killing Three-Year-Old

A hospital refused to transport a three-year-old Downs' syndrome patient who was severely dehydrated and septic. The hospital informed the parents that the child needed to be transferred to a different hospital for higher level of care; however, the parents didn't have money for an ambulance or helicopter. The parents drove the child themselves without an IV, which resulted in seizures, and the necessary removal of the child's bowel. The hospital's negligence violated both local regulation and federal laws concerning the transportation of a sick child without medical care.

Three-Year-Old Girl Unable to Walk Due to Birth Trauma

A three-year-old girl incapable of walking since birth had seen several doctors who were unable to determine the cause. Michels & Watkins learned that the child was delivered inappropriately in a breach position vaginally. The trauma of the delivery caused the child's spinal cord to tear. The verdict filed against the hospital, resulting in a $120 million payout over the life of the child. The child now receives proper care, walks with assistance and is attending college.

Lawyer Carelessly Represents Child Asphyxiated at Birth

A few weeks before trial, Michels & Watkins took over a case involving a child who had been severely asphyxiated at birth. For more than five years, another lawyer carelessly pursued the matter and wasn't able to obtain a settlement offer from the defendants. When the attorneys at Michels & Watkins stepped in, they were able to negotiate a settlement with the defendant hospital and obtained full payment of the lawyer's insurance policy as well.

Careless Lawyer and Negligent Hospital Prevent Family From Learning Truth and Proper Settlement

In one of the then largest legal malpractice verdicts in Los Angeles, Michels & Watkins represented the family of a severely disabled child whose parents were previously told by their lawyer that there was no case for the improper birth of their son. Upon taking on the case, Michels & Watkins discovered the original lawyer never filed the case in the first place. A suit was then filed against the birth hospital and doctors, as well as against the lawyer. The court ruled that it was too late to bring suit against the hospital but in the suit against the lawyer, a jury awarded a substantial verdict in favor of the family and their son.

School Psychologist Ignores Boy's Complaint of Being Sexually Attacked

Michels & Watkins represented a young boy who was sexually abused at his elementary school by an older boy with a history of such behavior at other schools. Reports of this boy's violent history had been sent to the school's psychologist but were ignored. Michels & Watkins determined their client was now suffering effects of the attack. The jury awarded the highest verdict at the time in California against a school district for a student on student sexual attack. The school instituted new policies to prevent a reoccurrence.