Results of the Previous Legal Cases We Handled

PERSONAL INJURY CASES

In a serious personal injury case, plaintiff suffered two ruptured discs and severe emotional trauma superimposed on PTSD from his military service, resulting in multiple suicide attempts. Liability for the accident was undisputed, but plaintiff’s attorney refused to for a reasonable sum. Alderman & Hilgers, LLP tried the case on behalf of the defendant in a venue known to be favorable to members of the military. Despite this, Alderman & Hilgers, LLP obtained a verdict that was lower than the original evaluation and about one third of plaintiff’s last demand prior to trial.

In a case involving an iron worker who fell 35 feet and sustained catastrophic injuries, Dan Alderman represented the general contractor and settled favorably on the contractor’s behalf after some trial testimony.

In a case involving a young man who was severely injured when riding an unregistered motorcycle, Alderman & Hilgers, LLP was successful in arguing prop 213 prevented him from recovering special damages.

EMPLOYMENT CASES

A police officer who was demoted for misconduct alleged FEHA sex discrimination, POBR violations, and Labor Code whistleblower retaliation against the city. Allison Hilgers obtained summary adjudication for the city on the FEHA and POBR claims. On appeal, Allison Hilgers was successful in reversing a jury verdict in excess of $1.6 million for plaintiff on the whistleblower retaliation claim.

Two police dispatchers in separate lawsuits alleged claims for FEHA racial discrimination, harassment, and retaliation against the city when their employment ended. Allison Hilgers obtained summary judgment for the city in both cases and the rulings were upheld on appeal.

Five police officers who were disciplined following an incident filed separate lawsuits
alleging FEHA racial discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and/or disability discrimination. Allison Hilgers was successful in using law and motion practice (from demurrers to summary judgment/ adjudication) to dismiss the majority of plaintiffs’ claims. On the few remaining claims, Alderman & Hilgers, LLP obtained a favorable settlement on behalf of the city.

In a sexual harassment/assault case in which plaintiff had seizures she attributed to the incident, Dan Alderman negotiated a settlement favorable to the defendant employer early on in the trial proceedings.

In a complex FEHA wrongful termination, retaliation, and sexual harassment case involving a potential multi-million dollar exposure, Alderman & Hilgers, LLP negotiated a favorable resolution for a municipal client, despite difficult issues with insurance coverage and workplace complications.

Two motorcycle officers alleged FEHA and whistleblower retaliation claims against the city. Allison Hilgers obtained summary judgment for the city.

A parking control checker alleged FEHA race discrimination against the city after being terminated. Allison Hilgers obtained summary judgment for the city, which was upheld on an appeal that was also handled by Allison Hilgers.

A code enforcement officer alleged FEHA disability discrimination and whistleblower retaliation against the city after being terminated. Allison Hilgers obtained summary judgment for the city, which was upheld on an appeal that was also handled by Allison Hilgers.

A city clerk alleged FEHA disability discrimination, failure to accommodate, and retaliation against the city after being terminated. Allison Hilgers obtained summary judgment for the city.

DANGEROUS CONDITION/ PREMISES LIABILITY CASES

Allison Hilgers has obtained summary judgment for the defendant city in several cases where the plaintiff tripped-and-fell over a sidewalk uplift, and has successfully defended such cases on appeal.

Allison Hilgers obtained summary judgment for the defendant property owner and property management company in a case where plaintiff alleged that the property was liable for a bed bug infestation in her unit.

Allison Hilgers obtained summary judgment for the defendant property owner and property management company in a case where a plaintiff sustained severe injuries after falling off a low bridge on the property.

Allison Hilgers obtained summary judgment for the defendant property owner on the plaintiff’s claim that he contracted poison ivy due to the defendant’s alleged negligent maintenance of landscaping

POLICE USE OF FORCE AND CIVIL RIGHTS CASES

In a civil rights and assault and battery case against a city and police officer, plaintiff alleged permanent injuries as a result of an arrest. Plaintiff alleged the officer used excessive force in the course of arresting and transporting her. Plaintiff also alleged her rights were violated at the police station. At trial, Alderman & Hilgers, LLP obtained a defense verdict exonerating the officer and the city from all liability.

In a civil rights case against police officers accused of excessive force, the attorneys of Alderman & Hilgers, LLP represented both the city and the individual police officers. The case involved the use of a Taser against a suspect involved in a domestic dispute, who attempted to flee the scene when officers confronted him. The officers used the Taser to subdue the suspect, inadvertently striking the suspect in the eye with one of the Taser darts. The suspect, who turned out to be deaf and who lost one eye as a result of the incident, sued the officers and the police department. The attorneys of Alderman & Hilgers, LLP were able to negotiate a settlement on favorable terms to the city and the individual police officers during trial.

In a case involving “suicide by cop,” Allison Hilgers was successful in upholding the defense verdict on appeal.

In an excessive force/ wrongful death case filed in federal court, Alderman & Hilgers, LLP obtained summary judgment for the city.

In a case involving claims of excessive force and unlawful arrest filed in federal court, the plaintiff dismissed the case after a motion to dismiss/strike was filed by Allison Hilgers.

In a case where the plaintiff alleged excessive force in the course of an arrest, Dan Alderman tried the case before a jury and obtained a defense verdict for the city.

In a case where the plaintiff alleged federal and state civil rights claims based on alleged police misconduct towards the plaintiff while in jail, Alderman & Hilgers, LLP obtained summary judgment on behalf of the city.

In a case where the plaintiff was shot by officers after a police chase, Allison Hilgers obtained summary judgment on behalf of the city.

OTHER CASES

At trial, Alderman & Hilgers, LLP obtained a $1.6 million judgment for an RV manufacturer whose vehicles were sold by a dealership that fraudulently kept the profits. Alderman & Hilgers, LLP prevailed on its claim that a personal guaranty signed by the prior owner of the dealership was still valid and enforceable against the prior owner, despite the sale of the dealership to a new owner.

In a trademark and unfair competition case in federal court, Dan Alderman prevailed representing the inventor of a product against the distributor.

In a case involving a street sweeping company against a large trash company, the trash company had been charging the sweeping vendor for years for removing debris. The sweeping company paid, but later realized they had no contract for the services provided by the trash company and did not need them. The large trash company would not offer a dime in settlement, and their attorney stated that he had not lost a case in eighteen years. At trial, in which the street sweeping company was represented by the attorneys of Alderman & Hilgers, LLP the jury sided with the street sweeping company, awarding them all of their requested damages against the trash company.

At trial, Dan Alderman represented an individual who had invested $1 million in what appeared to be a legitimate venture. The defendant had misrepresented the legitimacy of the investment and the client lost her investment. The verdict for the defrauded client included $1 million in compensatory damages as well as $6 million in punitive damages for the defendant’s fraudulent behavior.

In a case involving a wildfire that destroyed over 850 acres and 19 residences, Alderman & Hilgers, LLP obtained a favorable settlement protecting our client from a very large personal exposure, despite the existence of multiple parties and claims. Alternate theories of how the fire started were vigorously pursued and helped to resolve the case.

Daniel Alderman represented a veterinarian sued for not separating dogs and cats in the veterinarian’s waiting room, and prevailed in the court of appeal on there being no duty on the veterinarian to separate the species.

Daniel Alderman represented a furniture coating manufacturer sued for failed coatings on high-end office furniture. By finding the right expert, we were able to find the cause of the problem and reach a favorable settlement.

In a case involving land subsidence at a mobile home park and a dispute with the adjoining property owner, Alderman & Hilgers, LLP was successful in getting the cross-complaint against the owners of the mobile home park dismissed.