WE ARE SO CLOSE! The O.C. Marathon is only days away! Eric is supporting the inspirational programs and services of the O.C. Bar Foundation and Eric has raised a whopping $5,583 out of his $6,000 goal! He is STILL the top fundraiser AND has the most donors so far and we can't thank you enough! WE NEED YOUR HELP! Let's continue the support of Eric and the Bar Foundation's efforts in helping keep at-risk youth in school, healthy and drug-free through education, counseling, mentoring, and family strengthening.
Eric will be speaking at the American Bar Association's 2018 Section Annual Conference in San Diego on May 2nd on the subject, "Put a Human Face on What Might be an Unpopular Client."
Investigators are looking into the fatal accident that happened in Tempe, Arizona where an Uber test vehicle struck and killed a 49-year-old woman pedestrian on a bicycle, showing us just how dangerous driverless cars can really be. The video from the dashcam showed the driveless car was being monitored by a person in the backseat but that there was actually nothing she could have done from behind the drivers seat. Eric not only specializes in personal injuries but also practices in the unique niche that is driverless car injuries or death. Now, more than ever, this niche is in demand. Read the article... Read more about Eric's Unique Practices...
Eric has joined the Orange County Bar Foundation Project SELF Committee where he will help in the goal of investing in tomorrow’s leaders! Project SELF (Summer Employment in Law Firms) provides high school juniors with paid, hands-on summer internships at local law firms and businesses.
Eric has the honor of being one of the recipients for the Joe McNeil Civility award by the Orange County Chapter of ABOTA! Read more...
Eric will be speaking at the National Business Institute Seminar on November 30 on the topic, "How Electronic Media can Kill Your Case: Nuts and Bolts Advice to Prevent Damaging Electronic Evidence From Adversely Affecting Your Case." Read more...
46-year-old Christie Wilson was injured in a rear-end collision on February 19, 2015. She suffered neck and low back strains. As a result of her physical limitations, she was unable to begin a specialty shoe sales position at SAS shoes. The owner of the company had agreed to a salary of $150,000. At trial, plaintiff waived her $12,000 in past medical specials, which was mostly chiropractic care. She claimed $594,623 in past and future lost income and $100,000 in general damages. Plaintiff called Todd Simpson, D.C. of Brea. He saw plaintiff on 53 visits over 9 months. He testified her pain was chronic and that his care did not totally resolve her injuries. Plaintiff called economist David Fractor, Ph.D. to provide opinions about the lost job opportunity and the offset earnings. His calculations were used by the court in determining the verdict.
The defendant disputed the entire lost earnings claim. Defense orthopedic surgeon Daniel Kaplan, M.D. (La Habra) testified that plaintiff had soft-tissue injuries that should have resolved within weeks of the collision and that the only reasonable care would have been 8-10 physical therapy visits and home exercise. Defense CPA, Alan Lurie, testified he did not believe there was any lost income because he did not have enough documentation to allow him to evaluate the claim. He further contended that he believed that SAS shoes could not afford to pay the claimed $150,000 salary.
Defense counsel waived jury the morning of trial. Following a 3-day bench trial in Orange County, Pamela S. Liosi and Eric V. Traut of the Traut Firm obtained a verdict of $669,623.
The pre-trial offer from Allstate was $10,000 and in closing, defense counsel asked that the judge award only that amount. Plaintiff served a C.C.P. § 998 for $100,000, which Allstate allowed to lapse. At the conclusion of the trial, the judge awarded plaintiff $75,000 in general damages and $594,623 in loss of income.
The defendant’s policy with Allstate policy $1 million. With interest and costs, the verdict will exceed $700,000.
Eric is set to receive the incredible honor of the Orange County Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates's Joseph McNeil Civility and Professionalism Award. This award is given to a member whose integrity, civility and professionalism inspires trust among counsel and clients, and promotes respect for the profession. Eric will be given the award at the Installation Dinner in January 2018.
Eric has been selected to the list of America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators in Southern California, an honor reserved for only the top .5% litigators in the country! See Eric's profile...
Eric will speak at the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel's 57th Annual Seminar on a panel comprised of a mediators, a plaintiff attorney, a defense attorney, and potentially Judge Helen Bendix with the LASC settlement program. Eric will present the plaintiff’s perspective on this issue.
Eric spoke at Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles insurance bad faith issues panel for CAALA Vegas 2017, known as the nations largest trial lawyer convention. Eric spoke on the topic of "Handling UM/UIM Claims and Spotting Bad Faith Issues" in front of a large audience.
Eric was a capital fund contributor of $5000 toward the purchase of the amazing new Orange County Bar Foundation building. Learn more...