Recent News & Announcements
Island County Verdict for $500,000 - Ed Harper and Rick Friedman obtained a $500,000 verdict in a minor traumatic brain injury claim
Posted Tuesday, November 29, 2011.
Ed Harper of Harper Law PLLC (Kirkland, Washington) and Rick Friedman of Friedman Rubin (Bremerton, Washington) recently obtained a $500,000 verdict in Island County, Washington for a minor traumatic brain injury claim. Island County is known as a notoriously difficult location to obtain a personal injury verdict. However, with Rick’s trial acumen and diligent preparation a verdict was obtained. The entire verdict was based on the client’s inability to work in the same capacity as she would have without the injury.
The defense attempted to discredit the plaintiff attempting to discredit her with character assassination. Three defense doctors stated they thought the injured driver was exaggerating her symptoms. The defense also opined she was suffering from “pseudo-conditions”.
The case was determined without hearing testimony from the plaintiff directly. Plaintiff’s husband testified on her behalf as well as a number of friends and family. The jury was convinced she was injured and awarded her with a sizable plaintiff’s verdict.
HARPER LAW PLLC has published a legal guide on Avvo.com
Posted Tuesday, June 28, 2011.
http://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/insurance-coverage-for-out-of-state-vehicles-principally-garaged-in-the-state-of-washington
This article points out the success of HARPER LAW PLLC in obtaining the maximum insurance coverage for a client in spite of the UIM insurer initially denying coverage.
Harper Law is a Proud Sponser of the 2011 Bellevue Farmers Market
Posted Wednesday, May 11, 2011.
As a founding board member, Ed Harper is proud to sponsor the 2011 Bellevue Farmers Market. More information: http://www.bellevuefarmersmarket.org/
Snohomish County Verdict for $1.4 million
Posted Thursday, March 31, 2011.
Ed Harper of Harper Law PLLC and Jerry Pearson (co-counsel) received a verdict for almost $1.4 million for a young woman’s personal injury claim arising from a rear-end collision. This result occurred in Snohomish Superior Court with Judge Kenneth Cowsert presiding. The award followed a two-week jury trial and granted the injured client all of her past and future medical bills. Additional funds were awarded to compensate her for both the past and future non-economic damages she sustained as well.
The injuries stemmed from a violent collision occurring on Highway 99 in Lynnwood, Washington. A Ford F-250 gardening truck slammed into the rear of the client’s vehicle at approximately 35 mph as traffic had stopped for a red light. Despite numerous attempts at settlement, the defendant forced the matter to go to trial. At trial, the defense claimed the pain and medical treatment was merely the result of a psychological predisposition of the injured client. The jury was not swayed by these defense tactics and awarded a verdict which should provide the necessary funds for the client’s future medical needs.
Ed Harper inducted into San Clemente High School Golf Hall of Fame
Posted Tuesday, September 22, 2009.
On September 18, 2009, Ed was inducted into the SCHS Golf Hall of Fame. Ed, who graduated in 1981 from SCHS was introduced by SCHS Golf Coach, Mike Hurlburt.
Some notable achievements for Ed include:
• Graduated SCHS – 1981- South Coast League Champion (individual) in 1981 as a Senior
• Graduated USC – 1987 with Double Major – History and International Relations
• Graduated Thomas Jefferson University College of Law 1991
• Member of CA and WA Bars – as a practicing attorney since December 1991.
USC Highlights:
• Played as Co-Captain on 1986 USC – Pac-10 Champion Team. Came in 6th as an individual at the 1986 Pac-10 Championship event. USC finished 8th in the NCAA in 1986 as well.
• Academic All-American in 1986 while starting for two years at USC after playing at Saddleback.
• Played at Saddleback in 1982 and 1983 winning the individual League Championship each year under Bill Cunerty. We were CA State Community College Champions in 1983. I placed T-3rd individually.
• Worked as Assistant Coach 1986 – 1987 for USC’s Golf Team.
Jury Awards $5.86 Million for Brain Injury
Posted Tuesday, June 02, 2009.
May 27, 2009, Seattle, WA
A King County jury awarded $5.86 Million to a Washington man injured in a head-on collision. The client suffered a fractured leg, various contusions and a brain injury causing him to remain in a coma for several days following the accident. The seriousness of plaintiff’s brain injury was the central issue in the claim.
Defendant’s vehicle was insured by PEMCO with a policy limit of $1.25 Million. Plaintiff made a policy limit demand at mediation but it was rejected by the insurer. At the same time, PEMCO assured its driver that in the event of an excess verdict, it would pay “any amount awarded.”
Plaintiff’s attorney, Ed Harper of Kirkland, recognized that PEMCO’s assurance to its driver meant that there was no cap on potential recovery. He asked Rick Friedman of Friedman | Rubin to join him for the trial.
Friedman recognized that the difficulty with the case was getting the jury to recognize the seriousness of the client’s brain injury despite his retained intellectual capacity and communicative skills. At the same time, it was necessary to counter the defense strategy which sought to blame the client.
Friedman’s strategy was straightforward. In addition to the medical and psychological experts, the focus at trial would be the testimony of friends, family, and others, who could shed light on the client’s mental deficits. In-depth interviews of parents, friends and others revealed telling examples of his mental abilities before and after the accident. These stories supported the expert testimony indicating that while the client substantially retained his native intelligence, he now has great difficulty with memory, concentration, and multi-tasking.
Facing Harper and Friedman at trial caused PEMCO to re-evaluate its settlement position. Having previously rejected plaintiff’s $1.25 demand at mediation, PEMCO offered $2 Million as the trial got underway. As the trial proceeded, PEMCO upped its offer to $2.5 Million. These offers were considered but were allowed to expire as Harper and Friedman concentrated on delivering a better result. After a two week trial, the jury returned a fair verdict.
Last updated on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 8:16:25 PM GMT.
JURIST - This Day at Law
US-Russia nuclear arms treaty entered into force
On February 5, 2011, the US and Russia formally inaugurated the New START [PDF], which is an agreement intended to reduce the nuclear arms stockpile in both countries. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov exchanged documents in Munich that finalized two years of negotiations and marked the entering into force of the treaty. Russian President Dmitri Medvedev signed a bill ratifying the treaty in January 2011 and US President Barack Obama signed ratification documents for the treaty shortly before the treaty entered into force in February 2011. Barack Obama and Dmitri Medvedev at the New START signing in April 2010 Learn more about the
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