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Exemplar Cases
Licensed in Nevada and California
Automobile Accident Cases -- Northern/Southern Nevada
This firm is being retained by numerous drivers of automobiles in Northern and Southern Nevada who are the victims of at-fault drivers. Evidently there is a high demand for competent attorneys in Reno, Nevada to handle such automobile accident cases as the phones have been ringing since the Reno office opened. Please call us if you have been in an automobile accident which resulted in injuries.
Trip/Slip and Fall Accident Cases -- Northern/Southern Nevada
This firm is being retained by numerous victims of slip/trip and fall accidents in both Northern and Southern Nevada. In Reno, due to the freezing weather and rain/snow, slip/trip and fall accidents are common place due to black ice and other dangerous conditions. Owners of property and property management companies have a duty to maintain their properties and leave them in a safe condition for the public. A failure to make their premises safe for the public is actionable through negligence and possibly intentional or reckless conduct. Please call us if you have been in a trip/slip and fall accident which resulted in injuries.
December 2009 -- Nursing/Group Home Negligence Case
This firm was retained due to nursing/group home negligence and our client who was the victim of elder abuse. She was terrorized by group home personnel who would not let her see relatives and who would not afford her the simple pleasure of watching TV in her room. Our client had serious disabilities involving vision and mobility. She was taken to the hospital various times due to injuries. The last time her substantial bruising below the waste was documented by the hospital and the nursing/group home was reported to authorities.
November 2009 -- Multiple Home Construction Defect Case in Mesquite, NV
This law firm has been retained to represent multiple homeowners in Mesquite, Nevada regarding their homes built against a defectly sloped and graded hillside. The hillside has defective drainage and compaction, which results in substantial water flooding in the backyards. The homes and property have sustained damamage due to the defects.
June 2009 -- Common Area Defects at Community in Las Vegas
This firm was retained by a homeowners association to pursue construction defect claims against its builder and declarant for common area defects, including those related to walls, lights, gates, the pool, stucco, concrete and irrigation lines.
April 2009 -- Slip and Fall at Lake Las Vegas
In April 2009, this firm was retained to represent a woman who slipped and fell at a Lake Las Vegas casino when she was walking outside across a bridge. The bridge was being cleaned and was wet with soap and water. The bridge is covered, which also shaded the area which was wet and soapy. The janitorial staff did not block off the area or provide any warnings, and told this woman to walk through the soapy and wet area. She slipped causing serious injuries to her back, including a compression fracture of her spine. A lawsuit will be filed soon
February 2009 -- Nursing Home Negligence - Elder Abuse Case
In February 2009, this firm was retained to represent an elderly woman who was neglected and abused at a nursing home in Henderson, Nevada. She was not bathed and was left to develop severe bed sores. Then, she was transferred to a hospital for a blood transfusion without the nursing home even reporting that the bed sores existed. She has since passed and her death is attributed toward elder abuse, neglect and the untreated bed sores. A lawsuit is forthcoming.
May 2008 -- Sexual Assault of Patient at Las Vegas Hospital; Lawsuit filed on September 2, 2008, against Centennial Hills Hospital, Unversal Health Services, Valley Health Services, American Nursing Services and Steven Farmer
In May 2008, representation began of a sexual assault victim who was a patient at a new hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. See video of Channel 13 interview on September 4, 2008; read story by Channel 13 on September 4, 2008. Read story by Las Vegas Sun on September 18, 2008. The claim involves negligent and reckless security, processing, screening, supervision, training, hiring and admission, and a blatant failure to follow well established hospital policies, practices and procedures. The hospital permitted a traveling nurses assistant to transport the patient from the emergency room to a staff elevator and ultimately to a room. This traveling nurses assistant was not supposed to be transporting patients, and took an inordinate amount of time to return. Hospital supervisors (including a nurse in the E.R.) reported that it was not normal for such an employee to transport a patient, yet nothing was done to stop him. An investigation into his background is underway. After this horrific crime was committed, she pleaded with hospital staff to keep the perpetrator in the hospital until police arrived, and to immediately summon the police. Neither were done and the hospital, in fact, told the perpetrator to immediately leave. This resulted in difficulty in apprehending the perpetrator and possibly the destruction of valuable DNA evidence. The perpetrator is incarcerated and being prosecuted for serious felonies, incluidng sexual assault (rape) and gross/lewd conduct. Parent companies which own/manage the local hospital, which are based in Pennsylvania, were put on notice of the claim, but failed to respond. A lawsuit was filed on September 2, 2008. See video of Channel 13 interview of Neal Hyman on June 11, 2008. See story by Channel 13 on June 11, 2008, regarding Neal Hyman's representation of this victim of sexual assault. Read story in Summerlin Home News about forthcoming lawsuit by Neal Hyman on behalf of victim of sexual assault at Centennial Hills Hospital in Las Vegas
March 2008 -- Lawsuit against National Pharmacy Chain for Filling a Prescription at 10 Times the Prescribed Dosage; Lawsuit Filed in August 2008
In March 2008, representation began of a woman who was given a prescription from her doctor for medication to treat a medical condition. The national pharmacy chain misread the prescription and filled the dosage at 10 times the prescribed amount. This caused the woman to experience accelerated heart rate and symptoms consistent with a heart attack. She called her doctor and was informed that the pharmacy had given her 10 times the prescribed dosage. The doctor called the pharmacy and chastised it. He told her to immediately go to the emergency room, which she did. Now she is suffering from emotional distress and is fearful of filling any prescriptions at any pharmacy. A claim was made on the pharmacy and liability could not be denied. Nevertheless, the pharmacy offered a nusiance amount of compensation to make the claim go away, and entirely disregarded its egregious conduct and tried to blame the mistake on the woman filling the prescription, arguing that she somehow should have known more than the pharmacy. A lawsuit was filed alleging negligent and reckless conduct and seeking punitive damages.
May 2008 -- Chapter 40 Construction Defect Claim Initiated by Homeowners Association Against Large Builder/Developer for Collapsing Soils and Defective Rockery Retaining Wall
In May 2008, this firm initiated a Chapter 40 construction defect claim for a Homeowners Association against a large builder/developer for collapsing soils in the backyard of a home. The soils are cracking, separating and sinking due to this house being built on a steep hill with a defective rockery retaining wall. It is believed that another retaining wall was contemplated by the builder's engineers, but it was not installed. While the claim is currently being investigated, it is believed the rockery retaining wall supporting the backyard of this home has defective compaction and/or it is constructed defectively. Of concern is the homeowners' landscaping, gazebo and pool. A large crack had developed across the backyard and heads directly underneath their pool.
May 2008 -- Chapter 40 Construction Defect Claim Initiated Against Well Known Builder for defectively compacted soils in the backyard
A Chapter 40 construction defect claim has been initiated against a well known builder in Henderson. When the homeowner contracted to put in a $100,000 pool in the backyard of this relatively new house, the pool company stopped work when it encountered large boulders scattered throughout the earth in the backyard. The homeowner had already paid some of the contract amount for the pool, which has not been refunded. The builder concedes that the pool cannot be built with the boulders and compaction as it stands, but refuses to accept responsibility for the defect. Rather, it tries to contend that these large boulders are native soils and it did not have to remove them or compact the lot further. Upon initial geotechnical inspections, it was learned that the grading report indicated that large boulders existed and should be removed and/or compacted. Also, one boulder has a boring to contain dynamite. This is proof that the builder knew of and encountered the boulders when it was grading the lot and failed to remove or disclose them.
May 2008 -- Lawsuit Filed Against Driver of Automobile Driven by Intoxicated Person who Pushed Accident Victim out of the Way to Escape
In May 2008, a lawsuit was filed against the at-fault driver of an automobile who smashed into the rear of a rental car driven by a woman. She was pulling into the rental car return and had little time to make it to her flight at the airport. The at-fault driver, after running into the woman, tried to drive away. The woman positioned her car so that he could not. After she got his information, she called 911. When the at fault driver saw her call 911, he became anxious and apeared violent. He pushed the woman out of the way and left the scene of the accident. The woman reported the at fault driver as appearing intoxicated. She ended up missing her flight and an important business meeting the next day. Once the at fault driver's insurance company was contacted, it minimized the case and downplayed her serious injuries. The woman was treated by medical professionals who opined that her injuries were serious and possibly permanent. Her leg was caught under the dashboard and could require a surgery. She has been unable to engage in her usual activities since the accident. Despite this, the insurnace company refused to offer the limited policy limits of $100,000. Rather, it offered a nuisance amount of compensation. Needless to say a lawsuit has been filed alleging negligent and reckless conduct and seeking punitive damages. If the woman obtains a judgment in excess of the policy limits which would have been accepted, the at fault driver will have a bad faith action against his insurer.
April 2008 -- Burglary and Home Invasion by a Real Estate Agent Showing a Home
In April 2008, representation began of a homeowner who had his house listed for sale. A real estate agent gained access to the house to allegedly show it. What he did not know was the homeowner had set up a webcam in his office to monitor the moves of real estate agents in his home while he was gone. This real estate agent insisted on being alone in the house. When the homeowner arrived an hour later, he viewed the webcam recording and saw the real estate agent searching through his office, drawers and personal effects where much private, confidential and financial information was kept. It also showed him searching through the house and spending much time in areas of the house where private and valuable effects were kept. The real estate agent is being prosecuted for felonies including attempted burglary. We are investigating a claim against the real estate brokers who employed the agent for negligent hiring, training, supervision and screening. A lawsuit has not yet been filed.
April 2008 -- Lawsuit Filed Against Large Builder in Las Vegas For Undisclosed Soils Defects
In April 2008, a lawsuit was filed against a large builder in Las Vegas. Prior to our representation, the builder tried to minimize its failure to disclose soils defects by performing temporary and cosmetic repairs, and by offering such repairs instead of addressing the serious and pervasive soils defects it caused. Its own geotechnical experts produced reports showing the house had more than two inches of tilt and highly expansive soils. None of this was disclosed to the homeowners. It was not until this firm was hired and more geotechnical inspections and tests were performed that the builder was caught for its failure to disclose and creation of soils defects. The builder is being sued for negligence and reckless conduct, and its fraudulent failure to disclose.
April 2008 -- Defective Cement Wall at House Constructed by Large Regional/National Builder Collpases and Injures Young Woman
In April 2008, a young woman was visiting her friend's relatively new house in Las Vegas and was helping her in the backyard. When she went to open the metal gate that permits access from the front of the house to the rear of the house, the concrete wall attached to the metal gate collapsed on the young woman causing her to be seriously injured. She was immediately taken to the emergency room where various tests and examinations occurred. She had CT Scans and MRI's. After the hospital, she was treated by a doctor and physical therapist. She missed work and ultimately had to quit her job. Believing the builder would step up and accept responsibility for her injuries, the claim was mediated. The builder offered a nuisance amount of compensation, which was an insult. It also refused to pay her medical bills or anything for her diagnostic tests. It took this position despite the cement wall being constructed without 'any' grout to fill in the cells of the cement blocks. This permitted structural steel (rebar) inside the blocks to float and be useless. This defect was so open and obvious to the builder that it knew of the condition when the house was sold. It was also foreseeable that someone would get injured upon opening the gate. A lawsuit was filed alleging negligent and reckless conduct, and punitive damages.
February 2008 -- Representation of a Family Injured in an Automobile Accident who Lose Their White Baby Tiger Cub and Livelihood as Tiger Trainers
We represent a family (two adults and two minors) who were involved in a tragic automobile collision where they were traveling in their motorhome with a trailer attached. The trailer housed their white baby tiger cub, which was part of their tiger training and exhibition business. That business caused them to travel across the country and to many schools where pictures would be taken with children and the white baby tiger cub. This all abruptly ended when the son of the owner of a well known construction company smashed into their motorhome at a high speed breaking it in half. The impact caused the white baby tiger cub to sustain injuries and die one week later. Not only did this family lose their beloved pet, but it was their livelihood. Since the accident, they suffered from injuries and have lost their tiger training/exhibition business, tiger compound and license to engage in that business. Lost revenues amount of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Also, the white tiger cub had the potential of breeding rare white tiger cubs of a substantial value. The family sought reasonable compensation from the company, but were told to prove their damages. Since they had nowhere to turn, this firm was retained and now a lawsuit is pending where negligence and reckess conduct are alleged and punitive damages are sought. It turns out the son has a history of drag racing and may have seriously injured someone in another accident. Nine witnesses stated he was driving recklessly and appeared to be drag racing. He admitted to being at work and said he was driving that way because he did not get his lunch quick enough and had to get back to work.
December 2007 -- Lawsuit Filed Against Large Interstate Builder and Pool Company for Soils Defects and Deficient Compaction
This firm filed a lawsuit against a large interstate builder and pool company for construction defects involving defectively compacted soils and a defective pool which caused water to leak and damage walls and concrete. The claim started in Chapter 40 but the builder denied all responsibility, the pool contractor would only accept some responsibility and they both tried to blame the homeowners contending that they were soils experts more so than them. While the case could have settled had the builder and pool company been reasonable, a lawsuit was filed and now substantial civil repairs are being sought and repair costs are estimated at around $250,000.
December 2007 -- Construction Defect Case Involving Pervasive and Continuous Soils Defects Headed Toward Arbitration
Homeowners of a house constructed by a large, well-known builder in Las Vegas have been dealing with continuous and pervasive soils defects and movement of their house since 2000. Almost immediately after purchasing this new house, they experienced cracking and movement. The builder attempted various inadequate repairs and never admitted to creating serious soils defects. It even moved the homeowners out for 30 days and beefed up walls and performed soil injections around the house. The cracks and damage came back immediately. Left with nowhere to turn, the homeowners retained this firm and initiated a Chapter 40 construction defect claim. The builder never stepped up and made no offer to settle. It said sue us. The homeowners are in litigation and ready to arbitrate with the builder soon. The builder's failure to comply during the Chapter 40 process (it did not even respond to the homeowners' Chapter 40 notice as required by statute) will be used to seek other damages. The costs to repair this house exceed $300,000.
November 2007 -- Construction Defect and Homeowners Association Case Invoving House that Collapsed Due to Water Leak and/or Improperly Compacted Soils
We represent homeowners of a house that was constructed by a builder that is now out of business. The homeowners association which the builder set up now denies liability for a water leak in a common area water main/irrigation box. Representatives of the homeowners association located the leak since they monitor and pay the water bills for this home and others in this community. After locating the leak, some repair was performed but the substantial, continuous and pervasive damage sustained to this house (it has collapsed as though an earthquake hit it) was not repaired. The homeowners association said look to the builder. After this firm was retained, we were able to locate the insurance for the builder, and it has come in to defend the case. Inspections and tests by civil engineers, structural engineers and mechanical engineers has revealed soils that were grossly undercompacted (10-20% below the required standard) and copper water main pipes/valves that were installed in corrosive and undercompacted soils. The homeowners association, the builder and the builder's subcontractors are all fighting over who is responsible. They are also trying to blame the homeowners but will not say why.
August 2007 -- Construction Defect Lawsuit Consisting of 19 Homes in Sun City Anthem (Henderson, NV) Filed Involving Defective Pipe Fitting Case
On August 14, 2007, this firm filed a construction defect lawsuit against the Builder/Developer of Sun City Anthem (Henderson, NV). The lawsuit involves 19 individual homes and their senior citizen homeowners, most of whom are retired. The lawsuit primarily involves defective Kitec pipe fittings which have failed, or which are likely to fail, due to being made of an improper or deficient material and due to the water conditions in Clark County. These Kitec pipe fittings were the subject of a product recall. This lawsuit is separate and apart from a large class action which is also proceeding and involving defective Kitec pipe fittings and homes throughout Clark County.
July 6, 2007 -- Construction Defect Lawsuit Filed against Large, National Builder for Admitted Structural Design Defect and Deficiencies, and Resulting Damage
A large, national builder sold a house with known structural deficiencies to a homeowner. When pervasive cracking occuring on the ceiling across the length of the house, the builder came in a performed cosmetic repairs. It did so knowing that a structural deficiency existed in all homes of that design. It promised to move out and protect the homeowners' belongings, but damaged expensive furniture and left the house a mess. It later denied even performing the repairs. Finally, after having to acknowledge the structural defects, it tried to force the homeowners to sign a release of all liability in exchange for the repairs, which is contrary to Nevada law. Left with no choice, they retained this firm. A Chapter 40 construction defect claim was initiated. The builder continuously played games and made things difficult for the homeowners. Finally a lawsuit was filed. The builder insisted on performing repairs, even though it refused during the Chapter 40 process. The court permitted the repairs to proceed, but now a lawsuit is proceeding seeking compensation for remaining defects and Chapter 40 entitlements like stigma/risk damages, loss of use, reimbursement for property damage and attorney's fees, expert fees and costs.
May 9, 2007 -- Lawsuit Filed Due to Injuries Sustained When Tripping Over Concealed Forklift Blades in a Strip Mall
On May 9, 2007, this firm filed a lawsuit on behalf of injured plaintiffs, one of whom tripped over a forklift blade left in a construction site in a strip mall in a public parking spot. The blades were dark and concealed with the asphalt surface. The accident occurred at night and lighting was deficient. The injured plaintiff sustained serious injuries to her mouth, jaw and back. She has had one back surgery and might need more surgury to her back and possibly other parts of her body. Her medical bills exceed $90,000. Parties involved are the owner of a coffee house which was under construction, a national construction company, a regional property management company, a santi-hut supplier and a forklift owner/lessor. The case is current in discovery.
January 9, 2007 -- Construction Defect Lawsuit Filed when Builder Buys Back 10 Houses in Community but Refuses to Buy Back 3 Houses with Severe Soil Defects and Resulting Damage
On January 9, 2007, this firm filed a construction defect lawsuit against a large interstate builder on behalf of three homes and their homeowners. This builder bought back 10 houses on the same street in a row, but refused to offer the same relief to three houses and their homeowners. Those three houses are in the same row of houses bought back by the builder. No good explanation was given of why the same relief was not offered to these homeowners. Civil engineers have inspected and tested the houses, and severe soils and foundation defects exist. The repairs recommended will cost in excess of $200,000 per house, and one house will cost in excess of $300,000 to repair. Surveys of the house slabs were performed and the tilt ranges from 1.6 inches to 2.25 inches. The houses continue to move and serious damage to the concrete, stucco, drywall and block walls exist. During discovery, it was learned that the builder knew of the expansive soils and failed to design the slabs/foundations of the houses to withstand the anticipated and expected uplift. Also, the builder knew this community was built on a fault with underground fissures, but failed to disclose this fact to the homeowners. The initial geotechnical report indicated that the fault and underground fissues could cause future damage to these homes.
January 9, 2007 -- Two Large Builders in Nevada Sued for Construction Defects due to Pervasive Soils Defects in North Las Vegas
On January 9, 2007, this firm initiated construction defect arbitration proceedings for two houses in separate communities in North Las Vegas. Both houses suffer from pervasive and continuous soils defects and resulting damage. The homeowners decided to take advantage of the builder's arbitration clause in their purchase agreements, even though the builders preferred litigating in court. The homeowners chose arbitration because it is quicker, less expensive and they can limit harassing particiation by numerous subcontractors and their attorneys. The houses have tilt in excess of two inches.
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