Summary

DETAILING YOUR AUTO CASE
Find out what's hiding in the cracks of your case
Chairpersons: Celia M. Rivera and Steve Alvarez
Original Recording: April 17, 2015 • 6.0 CLE Credits
Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center, Tacoma
WSBA Activity ID: 395012

Welcome and Opening. Celia M. Rivera, Seminar Co-chair,
Steve Alvarez, Seminar Co-chair,
Topic 1 Is Your Auto Case Also a Product Liability Case: Spotting the Auto Defect Case.
James S. Rogers, Seattle Attorney
Topic 2 Is Your Auto Case Also a Brain Injury: Recognizing when there has been a brain injury.
Scott Blair, Seattle Attorney
Topic 3 The Invisible Tortfeasor: Crashes Caused by Unsafe Roads
Keith Kessler, Hoquiam Attorney
Topic 4 Shining Up Your Claim for General Damages
Proving general damages.
Eric Fong, Port Orchard Attorney
Topic 5 How to Get Their Top $ A defense perspective.
Paul Crowley, Tacoma Attorney
Topic 6 Using Chiropractic Testimony to Prove the Mechanism of Injury
Leo Romero, DC, Chiropractic Physicians, Inc., Kent
Topic 7 Hammering Out the Dents in Property Damage Claims – Proving Impact Severity
Four Reasons Not to Trust the Insurance Company’s Repair Estimate.
Jeff Butler, Haury’s Lake City Collision, Seattle
Topic 8 “So Now I Have To Sue ….”
UIM/UM sue me clauses – State Farm.
Jeremy Johnston, Tacoma Attorney
Topic 9 “It Was Just A DUI.”
Dram Shop.

Edward Le, Renton Attorney Topic 10 A Million Dollar Soft Tissue Case: Trial verdicts.
Karl Malling, Shoreline Attorney
Dan McLafferty, Lake Forest Park Attorney
Topic 11 Black Box in Vehicles: Uncovering the Black Box.
Bryan V. Jorgensen, NW Casualty Claims Service, Seattle

Presenters

	Celia M. Rivera CELIA RIVERA is the founder of Rivera Law Offices, PLLC. Whether the case involves a simple automobile collision, or a complex damage claim, Celia is passionate about achieving justice for her clients. Celia speaks fluent Spanish and has successfully...MoreCELIA RIVERA is the founder of Rivera Law Offices, PLLC. Whether the case involves a simple automobile collision, or a complex damage claim, Celia is passionate about achieving justice for her clients. Celia speaks fluent Spanish and has successfully represented hundreds of clients over the course of her career through settlement, arbitration and jury trial. Celia has been a featured speaker at Continuing Legal Education Seminars for personal injury attorneys and Chiropractors. She is currently a board member of the Washington State Association for Justice (WSAJ), and has served on a number of committees within the organization. She has served on the executive board of the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington and continues to be active with the association. She is also a member of Washington Women Lawyers, and the Washington and Thurston County Bar Associations. Celia received her law degree from Seattle University in 2000. Prior to attending law school Celia had extensive personal injury and bankruptcy experience as a paralegal. Although born in Seattle, Celia grew up in Calexico, California. Celia returned to the Northwest in 1987 to attend the University of Washington where she majored in Spanish. Celia is an involved parent and especially enjoys spending time with her family, trying new ethnic restaurants and traveling.   Collapse
	Steve Alvarez Steve Alvarez graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelors Degree in Economics. Steve began practicing law in 1993 after graduating with a Juris Doctorate from Seattle University School of Law (formerly University of Puget Sound)....MoreSteve Alvarez graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelors Degree in Economics. Steve began practicing law in 1993 after graduating with a Juris Doctorate from Seattle University School of Law (formerly University of Puget Sound). When he founded ALVAREZ Law, Steve committed the majority of his practice to helping the Spanish-Speaking community throughout Western Washington. Today, Steve and his brother, Kevin Alvarez, as associate attorney with ALVAREZ LAW, share in the dedication to provide those in need with the support and legal assistance they require.   Collapse
	James S. Rogers James S. Rogers is a lawyer in Seattle’s The Law Offices of James S. Rogers. His practice is limited to serious personal injury and product liability litigation. Mr. Rogers is a member of DART, and a Fellow of the American College of Trial...MoreJames S. Rogers is a lawyer in Seattle’s The Law Offices of James S. Rogers. His practice is limited to serious personal injury and product liability litigation. Mr. Rogers is a member of DART, and a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, a Fellow of the International Society of Barristers, and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (President, 2007, Washington State Chapter). Mr. Rogers was WSTLA’s 1998 “Trial Lawyer of the Year”, and was named the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers 2010 “Outstanding Plaintiff Trial Lawyer of the Year”. Mr. Rogers is the 2018 “Best Lawyers Seattle Plaintiff’s Product Liability Litigation Lawyer of the Year”. Mr. Rogers has been selected for inclusion in “The Best Lawyers in America” every year since 2003. Mr. Rogers was President of WSTLA in 1991-1992.   Collapse
	Scott Blair Scott Blair is the founder of Brain Injury Law of Seattle. Brain injury work is his passion. For the last 25 years, Scott has proudly helped folks with brain injuries get the specialized treatment they need to get their lives back together. Scott...MoreScott Blair is the founder of Brain Injury Law of Seattle. Brain injury work is his passion. For the last 25 years, Scott has proudly helped folks with brain injuries get the specialized treatment they need to get their lives back together. Scott understands that the effects of brain injuries are often complex and subtle, and can have a variety of profound effects on a person if they are not recognized and dealt with in a timely fashion. Scott is the first lawyer in the country to recognize the importance and prevalence of pituitary injuries in brain injury cases, and to passionately start educating and alerting the rest of the legal profession on the importance of such injuries. He has also led the charge on helping brain injury victims get the help they need for pituitary and hypothalamic injuries, which are present in nearly half of all brain injury cases causing hormonal imbalances and sleep disturbance. Because of his pioneering work in this area, Scott has been asked by many lawyer organizations, brain injury foundations, and even the Veterans Administration to help train brain injury workers, medical staff, social workers, lawyers and others on how to screen for and spot pituitary injuries. Because of his passion for helping TBI victims and training other attorneys on handling TBI cases, he has been asked by the Washington State Association of Justice to Chair its annual Traumatic Brain Injury Seminar both times it has presented this seminar in the last three years. He has also been asked by several other State Trial lawyer organizations to teach other lawyers throughout the US on how to spot pituitary injuries and help TBI victims get the help they need. He has been recognized by the medical profession as well for his passion in helping TBI victims. In addition to his passion for representing TBI victims, Scott is also an accomplished trial lawyer who has tried more than 75 jury trials over the course of his 34 year career. As a graduate of the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College in Wyoming, he has a passion for trying cases. His passion has been recognized by other attorneys, and has often been asked to train other Washington lawyers in the art of trying cases or assist them in trying TBI and injury cases. His willingness to try cases often makes the other side’s insurance carrier recognize that offering a full and fair settlement is preferable to a large verdict against their insureds. With Scott helping you, you will always have a sympathetic ear, a passionate and knowledgeable advocate at your side, and a willingness to help you get the medical help you need to get your life back.   Collapse
	Keith Kessler Keith L. Kessler is a plaintiff’s personal injury attorney with the Hoquiam and Seattle law firm of Stritmatter Kessler Koehler Moore. Over the past 38 years, Mr. Kessler has focused on highway design and product liability cases. Mr....MoreKeith L. Kessler is a plaintiff’s personal injury attorney with the Hoquiam and Seattle law firm of Stritmatter Kessler Koehler Moore. Over the past 38 years, Mr. Kessler has focused on highway design and product liability cases. Mr. Kessler was President of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association from 1990 to 1991 (now Washington State Association for Justice). He has served as President of the Damages Attorneys Round Table, and as President of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Washington Chapter. He is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. Mr. Kessler serves on the Washington Supreme Court’s Pattern Jury Instructions Committee. Mr. Kessler has been honored as “WSTLA’s Trial Lawyer of the Year”, and “Outstanding Plaintiff Trial Lawyer” by the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers. He is listed in the Best Lawyers in America, and was selected by Best Lawyers in 2011 as the Seattle Area Personal Injury Litigator of the Year.   Collapse
	Eric Michael Fong Eric is the son of immigrants; his father Frank is from China, and his mother Margareta, from Sweden. His older sister is a professor of economics at Carnegie Mellon. His younger brother, a Yale PhD in biomedical engineering, buys companies for...MoreEric is the son of immigrants; his father Frank is from China, and his mother Margareta, from Sweden. His older sister is a professor of economics at Carnegie Mellon. His younger brother, a Yale PhD in biomedical engineering, buys companies for Genentech. In the past two years, Eric obtained over $10,000,000 in verdicts and settlements for his clients in a nursing home abuse case, a trip and fall, medical negligence, and a products liability case. In the criminal arena he represents those charged with complex federal white-collar crimes, murder, Mexican cartel drug smuggling, and every other crime you can imagine. As George Clinton’s lawyer, he was with Mr. Clinton in Los Angeles the day Robin Thicke and Pharell Williams filed the declaratory action regarding the song Blurred Lines. Eric was recognized in 2014 by WDTLA as Washington’s Plaintiffs Trial Lawyer of the Year. In 2004 he was the Trial Lawyer of the Year for the Trial Lawyers College. Eric teaches at the Trial Lawyers College, and served on TLC’s board of directors. Likewise, he has served on the board of directors for WSAJ. Eric values collaborating with other lawyers, all of whom deserve more credit for his success than he.    Collapse
	Paul L. Crowley Paul Crowley is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Law. He has been practicing for 15 years, ten of which were as GEICO Staff Counsel.Mr. Crowley has spent the last three years with Lockner & Crowley where he does primarily...MorePaul Crowley is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Law. He has been practicing for 15 years, ten of which were as GEICO Staff Counsel.Mr. Crowley has spent the last three years with Lockner & Crowley where he does primarily insurance defense. He also takes on some Plaintiff’s work. In addition, he is an elected member of the Edgewood City Counsel.   Collapse
	Leo Romero, DC Dr. Leo Romero is the owner and Chief of Staff at Chiropractic Physicians, Inc. He graduated from Cleveland Chiropractic College, Los Angeles in 1992 and completed his post-graduate work in orthopedics at the University of Western States. ...MoreDr. Leo Romero is the owner and Chief of Staff at Chiropractic Physicians, Inc. He graduated from Cleveland Chiropractic College, Los Angeles in 1992 and completed his post-graduate work in orthopedics at the University of Western States. In 2000, Dr. Romero was appointed by then Governor Gary Lock and reappointed in 2004 by Governor Christine Gregoire to the Washington State Department of Health, Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission. He served as a commissioner for five years and as Chairman for three. In 2005 Dr. Romero was elected to the board of University of Western States, the second oldest chiropractic educational program in the world, established in 1904, and one of the top chiropractic colleges in the nation. He served as Chairman of the Board in 2012. Dr. Romero has fellow status at the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards. He co-authored a manual for the development of a new college curriculum for chiropractic technicians. Dr. Romero is often hired for his knowledge in the chiropractic field to provide expert testimony and consultation. He has provided more than 75 depositions and has testified as an expert in numerous trials. Dr. Romero is an active clinician and rotates through his four Washington clinics   Collapse
	Jeff Butler Jeff Butler has worked in the collision repair field for more than 25 years and is currently the President of Haury’s Collision Center and Collision Consulting of Washington. He is ASE Master Certified collision technician, I-CAR Platinum Certified...MoreJeff Butler has worked in the collision repair field for more than 25 years and is currently the President of Haury’s Collision Center and Collision Consulting of Washington. He is ASE Master Certified collision technician, I-CAR Platinum Certified technician, factory trained BMW, MINI, Porsche, and Nissan GTR technician and is a member of various professional organizations such as Safe Cars and SCRS. He holds an FAA issued license as an air frame and power plant mechanic (A&P) and has owned an independent collision center since 1991. Jeff has worked in many capacities in the collision industry, from working as a body and frame technician, refinish technician, vehicle damage appraiser and facility manager to providing diminished value and total loss appraisals, consulting and testifying as an expert witness in property damage litigation. In his leisure time he enjoys coaching high performance driving with the BMW, Porsche and Audi clubs, is a top team driver with the championship winning Mad Greek Racing team, is a fabulous chef and family man.    Collapse
	Jeremy A. Johnston Jeremy A. Johnston is a partner with the law firm of Messina Bulzomi Christensen, where his practice is limited solely to the representation of plaintiffs in personal injury actions. Jeremy received his Juris Doctor degree in 2003 from Seattle...MoreJeremy A. Johnston is a partner with the law firm of Messina Bulzomi Christensen, where his practice is limited solely to the representation of plaintiffs in personal injury actions. Jeremy received his Juris Doctor degree in 2003 from Seattle University School of Law, graduating Summa Cum Laude and among the top ten in his class. He was an associate editor for the Seattle University Law Review and worked as an extern for United States District Court Judge Franklin D. Burgess. He received his undergraduate degree from Pacific Lutheran University where he played and was captain of the 1999 National Championship football team. Jeremy currently coaches football at Bellarmine Preparatory in Tacoma. He is married to Whitney (Martin) and has three boys.    Collapse
	Edward K. Le Edward K. Le has been a plaintiff’s attorney exclusively over the course of his 21 year career. He came to the US with his family as refugees from Vietnam and initially settled in Compton, California. He excelled in school and attended UCLA on...MoreEdward K. Le has been a plaintiff’s attorney exclusively over the course of his 21 year career. He came to the US with his family as refugees from Vietnam and initially settled in Compton, California. He excelled in school and attended UCLA on numerous scholarships. After graduating UCLA, he attended the University of Houston Law School on a Dean’s Scholarship. He begin his legal career as a solo practitioner in rural Texas before moving to Seattle in 1997. Since then, he has an active trial practice in Renton, Washington focusing on car wrecks, construction falls, products liability, stairway falls, premise liability, trucking litigation, and insurance disputes/denials. He is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, rated AV by the Bar Register of Preeminent Attorneys, recognized as a Super Lawyer by Washington Law & Politics, selected by the National Trial Lawyers Association and the American Society of Legal Advocates as among the top 100 lawyers in Washington State. In addition, he is a member of the Million Dollars Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollars Advocates Forum. He has litigated and tried cases in numerous states across the US. He is admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit of Appeals, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and several US District Courts. Edward lives in Renton, Washington with his wife, a transactional attorney, and their two children.    Collapse
	Karl E. Malling Karl E. Malling is a trial attorney, representing the injured and mistreated; obtaining justice for those who insurance companies demean and diminish by denying, delaying, discounting, and in the end, deserting. "I am committed to the...MoreKarl E. Malling is a trial attorney, representing the injured and mistreated; obtaining justice for those who insurance companies demean and diminish by denying, delaying, discounting, and in the end, deserting. "I am committed to the jury system and protecting the rights of individuals from corporate and government indifference."   Collapse
	Daniel M. McLafferty Daniel McLafferty earned his J.D. from Seattle University School of Law, graduating cum laude in 2012. In his last year, he gained his first jury trial experience as a Rule 9 Prosecutor for the City of Marysville. After graduating from law school, he...MoreDaniel McLafferty earned his J.D. from Seattle University School of Law, graduating cum laude in 2012. In his last year, he gained his first jury trial experience as a Rule 9 Prosecutor for the City of Marysville. After graduating from law school, he began his career working for a small firm that primarily represented commercial insurers. During that time, he defended insurers in coverage actions, UIM claims, and actions for bad faith, IFCA violations, and CPA violations. He also prosecuted claims against other commercial carrier involving disputed coverage obligations, subrogation, indemnity, and contribution. It didn’t take long for Dan to become entirely disenchanted with spending his workday keeping the coffers full for multi-billion dollar insurers. After about one year, he was able to escape and began working for Scott M. Donaldson, P.S. in Lake Forest Park, just north of the Lake City neighborhood in north Seattle. Dan’s practice now focuses entirely on personal injury and insurance disputes, including coverage analysis, bad faith, and IFCA.   Collapse
	Bryan V. Jorgensen Mr. Jorgensen graduated from WSU in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in general physics. He began full time work as a forensic consultant with Northwest Casualty Claims Service in 1993 working with Lee Phelps and Dick Cole. Mr. Jorgensen has performed...MoreMr. Jorgensen graduated from WSU in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in general physics. He began full time work as a forensic consultant with Northwest Casualty Claims Service in 1993 working with Lee Phelps and Dick Cole. Mr. Jorgensen has performed thousands of forensic investigations and analyses in his 22 years, on cases ranging from motor vehicle crashes and premises liability to products liability and fires. He routinely uses his knowledge of physics, and human factors to quantify and give perspective to the aspects of interest.   Collapse

Originally Published

April 17, 2015

Program Titles and Supporting Materials

This program contains the following components:

• DETAILING YOUR AUTO CASE - Paper
• Is Your Auto Case Also a Product Liability Case: Spotting the Auto Defect Case - Video
• Is Your Auto Case Also a Product Liability Case: Spotting the Auto Defect Case - Audio
• Is Your Auto Case Also a Brain Injury: Recognizing when there has been a brain injury - Video
• Is Your Auto Case Also a Brain Injury: Recognizing when there has been a brain injury - Audio
• The Invisible Tortfeasor: Crashes Caused by Unsafe Roads - Video
• The Invisible Tortfeasor: Crashes Caused by Unsafe Roads - Audio
• Shining Up Your Claim for General Damages - Video
• Shining Up Your Claim for General Damages - Audio
• How to Get Their Top $ A defense perspective - Video
• How to Get Their Top $ A defense perspective. - Audio
• Using Chiropractic Testimony to Prove the Mechanism of Injury - Video
• Using Chiropractic Testimony to Prove the Mechanism of Injury - Audio
• Hammering Out the Dents in Property Damage Claims – Proving Impact Severity - Video
• Hammering Out the Dents in Property Damage Claims – Proving Impact Severity - Audio
• “So Now I Have To Sue ….” - Video
• “So Now I Have To Sue ….” - Audio
• “It Was Just A DUI.” - Video
• “It Was Just A DUI.” - Audio
• A Million Dollar Soft Tissue Case: Trial verdicts. - Video
• A Million Dollar Soft Tissue Case: Trial verdicts. - Audio
• Black Box in Vehicles: Uncovering the Black Box - Video
• Black Box in Vehicles: Uncovering the Black Box - Audio