DISCLAIMER: Please note that every case is different and these verdicts and settlements, while accurate, do not represent what we may obtain for you in your case.

Judge Upholds $1.1 Million Verdict For Motorcyclist

Attorney Michael F. Hupy got a $1.1 million verdict for a client, Miguel Rivera, on May 16, 2000, after State Farm Insurance Company would make no offer to settle his motorcycle accident claim. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Michael Sullivan has denied all of State Farm’s motions for a new trial and ordered Judgment entered on the verdict. State Farm had asked for a new trial based on alleged erroneous rulings of the Court because it claimed that the evidence did not support the jury’s finding of negligence, and it claimed the damages were too high. The Court denied every motion brought by State Farm Insurance Company and rejected the insurance company’s contention that the case should be dismissed or a new trial should be granted. Rivera had originally retained another law firm who dropped him as a client after 2-1/2 years because State Farm would not make an offer to settle his case.

Rivera then retained our law firm, which commenced a lawsuit and prepared the case for trial. Among the things that we did were to find a 1952 model Harley Davidson motorcycle like the one Rivera was driving so that we could show the jury a video of how the accident occurred. Our investigators, who ride motorcycles, were able to accomplish this important piece of trial preparation. During the trial, both the plaintiff and defense showed videos of the accident scene to help the jury understand how the accident occurred. Attorney Michael F. Hupy felt that the videos shown by the defense during the trial were misleading, so, during the trial he went to the accident scene on Mother’s Day and had additional videos done to be presented to the jury the next day. Rivera had approximately $42,000 in medical bills and lost $50,000 in wages up until the time of trial. He also suffered injuries to his knee, ankle and shoulder. State Farm’s attorney argued that the amount awarded by the jury for future loss of earning capacity and pain and suffering was excessive. In upholding the jury’s verdict, the Court ruled that the amounts were supported by the evidence and denied State Farm’s request to throw out the verdict. Our law firm represents more motorcyclists than any other law firm in the state, and we have gotten million-dollar results for numerous clients, including motorcyclists. Rivera and Hupy have rejected State Farm’s recent offer to mediate a resolution of the case after the jury’s verdict. Mr. Rivera’s case is typical of many. He was the victim of someone else’s negligence; he was injured severely; he incurred close to $100,000.00 in medical bills and lost wages, but all his first law firm could do was keep him cooling his heels for 2-1/2 years then drop him.

Attorney Hupy won $1.1 million for Mr. Rivera and is making certain that he keeps it.

Awarded: $1,100,000.00