We know that choosing the right firm to represent you makes all the difference. We are committed to our clients, and not afraid to take on defendants with deep pockets, whether they are Fortune 500 corporations, huge school districts, and insurance giants. Our knowledge, experience and history of taking cases to trial give our clients an advantage when it comes time to negotiate a settlement. Many of our results are record-setting. Don’t settle for second best. Choose a firm that will achieve the results you need and deserve.
Doe v. EMQ — $30 million (largest single plaintiff sex abuse verdict in nation)
Starting when he was just 11 years old, a foster boy was abused over 600 times between December 1995 and March 1999 in the home of Mountain Valley foster parent John Hardy Jackson. Preliminary checks on the Mountain View resident revealed a troubling history of sexual acts with minors, drug and alcohol abuse, physical abuse towards his pregnant wife and a history of mental illness. Jackson was found guilty and was indicted with a 220 year prison sentence. EMQ Children & Family Services acquired Giarretto in March 1999 and released a public statement announcing they were, “unaware of any claims against Giarretto at the time of acquisition”. Estey Bomberger sued San Jose company Giarretto Institute for failing to perform a preliminary background check on Jackson and ignoring the allegations of sexual abuse. In August 2010, a jury in Santa Clara County awarded $30,000,000 to the victim, finding Giarretto Institute 75% responsible.
Doe v. LAUSD — $23 mil (largest verdict against LAUSD)
Walter “Matt” Doe, a 14-year-old student, was abused by his teacher Forrest Stobbe at Queen Anne Elementary School 10-15 times during the 2008-2009 school year, and about five times during the summer of 2009. Stobbe, arrested in 2010, pleaded no contest and is serving a 16-year prison sentence. Estey Bomberger filed a lawsuit against Stobbe’s employer, Los Angeles Unified School District in October 2009. The district initially offered $25,000 to settle the case. In December 2012, a jury awarded the victim $23 million in damages.
Doe v. Roe Hospital — $20 mil (largest med mal settlement in CA)
A baby born in 2013 at a California hospital suffered brain damage as a result of a nurse failing to connect tubing to meter liquid nutrition. As a result, the baby was exposed to high glucose and calcium levels that affected her brain’s ability to function. Estey Bomberger filed a suit against the hospital in 2014. A settlement was reached in October 2015 for $20 million.
Acuna v. City of San Diego — $18.5 mil (largest single plaintiff settlement with city of SD)
Luke Acuna lost his leg in November 2011 when he was struck by a San Diego city garbage truck. Estey Bomberger filed a suit against the city in April 2012, arguing the driver of the trash truck made a dangerous K-turn instead of a U-turn. A settlement was reached in May 2013 for $18.5 million.
Doe v. PHS $6.5 mil (largest verdict against drug/alcohol facility)
Robert Poizner, a volunteer counselor for Pacific Health Systems in National City, was convicted of 24 counts of sex abuse, including molesting at least two 13 year old boys. Poizner was a volunteer at PHS and was supposed to be taking teenage boys to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Instead, he took them back to his apartment and molested them. Poizner was sentenced to 75 years to life in prison. Estey Bomberger filed a lawsuit against PHS in 2011, and in July 2014, a San Diego jury awarded a $6.5 million verdict.