Significant Cases
Pittsburgh Personal Injury, Products Liability & Workers' Compensation Cases
$5,000,000 Class Action Allegheny County
HKW & Assoc filed a class action lawsuit against an Allegheny County governmental authority charging the authority with arbitrary and capricious billing practices. After having the ratepayers certified as a class the governmental authority chose to settle the claim. The billing practices were changed and ratepayers received a significant rebate in their bills
$2,300,000 Products Liability/Automobile Beaver County
Our clients, a young couple on their way to a high school prom, had their vehicle roll over resulting in their roof being crushed. The driver of the vehicle was killed and the passenger was severely injured. HKW & Assoc filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the vehicle based on the unsafe design of the vehicle. After several years of litigation against the car manufacturer, we were able to resolve the lawsuit for a multimillion dollar settlement
$2,000,000 Products Liability/Medical Malpractice Allegheny County
Our client died from pharmaceuticals related to weight loss. HKW & Assoc, on behalf of the estate of the deceased, filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the drug. After extensive litigation, HKW was able to resolve the claim for a multimillion dollar settlement against the drug manufacturer.
$ 2,000,0000 Medical Malpractice Franklin County
Our client underwent orthopedic surgery to repair damage to his back. During the operation the surgeon severed nerves near the spinal column. This malpractice caused partial paralysis in the client's leg. HKW filed a lawsuit against the surgeon resulting in a multimillion dollar settlement.
$ 1,200,000 Automobile Accident Beaver County
Our client was driving on a narrow road in Beaver County. A large sanitation truck hit our client's vehicle. Our client was severely injured and spent several weeks in a rehabilitation facility. The insurance company denied our clients claim because the police report indicated that our client was in the wrong lane. HKW & Associates were able to prove through extensive use of experts that our client was not responsible for the accident. This resulted in a settlement in excess of one million dollars
$1,100,000 Vehicle/Truck Accident Butler County
Our client, a mother and son, were hit by pick up truck which ran a red light. The son suffered scarring from shattered glass from the vehicle. The mother suffered multiple physical injuries as well as brain trauma. The mother was unable to return to work. HKW & Associates was able to negotiate a settlement in excess of one million dollars with our client's insurance company.
$800,000 Truck Accident Somerset County
A construction worker was in the middle of the road because his vehicle had broken down. While in the road he was struck by a large truck, killing our client. On behalf of his estate, we negotiated a settlement with the insurance company of the truck company after they initially denied the claim based on the alleged negligence of our client who was in the middle of road.
$800,000 Automobile Accident Allegheny County
Our client, a passenger in a vehicle driven by her husband, was struck by a drunk driver. Our client suffered multiple injuries including brain trauma resulting in partial disability. Our client underwent extensive therapy, but was unable to return to work. Settlement was achieved after protracted negotiations with the insurance company for the defendant as well as the client's underinsured motorists coverage.
$715,000 Motorcycle Accident Westmoreland County
Our client was driving his motorcycle on Route 30 when a truck pulled out from a stop sign. Our client was unable to stop his motorcycle and crashed into the truck. Our client was killed at the accident site. HKW represented the estate of the motorcycle driver. Despite witnesses who reported that our client was driving at an excessive rate of speed, HKW was able to establish the negligence of the defendant resulting in a large six figure settlement for the estate of our client.
$525,000 Automobile Accident Armstrong County
Our client was in her disabled vehicle on the side of the road in Greene County. Another vehicle struck our client's disabled vehicle. The collision caused extensive damage to her vehicle and multiple injuries to our client. The defendant's insurance company alleged that our client's vehicle was negligent b/c she had caused the initial accident. Despite the allegations of contributory negligence, HKW &Associates was able to secure a high six figure settlement for our client.
$525,000 Insurance Fraud Westmoreland County
Our client were the descendants of an individual who bought a life insurance policy. The insurance refused to pay the death benefits upon his death. The insurance company alleged irregularities in the physical examination of our client's parent. After extensive litigation regarding the insurance companies claim, HKW was able to secure death benefits for the estate of the deceased.
$400,000 Dog Bite Indiana County
Our client was visiting his father when he was bitten by a dog. The parent's housing was located on a farm owned by the father's parents. The dog attack was unwitnessed as the child was roaming the farm. The grandparent's insurance company denied the claim based on multiple reasons. They alleged the identity of the dog wa unknown. The also accused the parents of contributory negligence for failure to supervise. HKW was able to resolve the claim through the use of alternative dispute resolution.
$300,000 Automobile Accident Allegheny County
Our client was killed by a teenager who crossed over the center lane of a road on the way to the airport.
HKW & Associates filed a lawsuit against the parents as well as their son. Eventually the insurance company paid the entire policy limits of the claim.
$ 295,000 Dog Bite Butler County
Our client was young child bitten by a neighbor's dog. The child was with her mother at a neighbor's home. The neighbor let the dog run free with out leashing the dog. The child was bitten on the face causing extensive scarring. Initially the defendant's homeowners insurance claimed that their insured was not responsible for the dog attack. HKW &Associates was able to negotiate with the neighbor's homeowners insurance company resulting in a large six figure settlement.
$250,000 Slip and Fall Venango County
Our client a middle aged woman was leaving a commercial establishment after shopping. She inadvertently caught her leg on a handrail. After falling, our client suffered multiple injuries to her leg and was hospitalized for several weeks. The insurance company for the business, denied responsibility blaming our client for the fall. HKW was able to establish through use of design experts that the handrail and drain were improperly and negligently designed.
$250,000 Truck Accident Blair County
Our clients were struck when a truck crossed the centerline on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The clients were taken to the Altoona Hospital. Our clients suffered multiple injuries including fractures and internal injuries. The insurance company initially denied liability based on road conditions. Ultimately HKW was able to resolve the claim for a six figure settlement.
Amount Withheld Medical Malpractice Clarion County
Our client underwent a heart surgery. Unfortunately, the surgeon negligently left a sponge proximate to out client's heart. This required a second surgery to remove the sponge. HKW & Associates filed a lawsuit against the heart surgeon and the hospital. After litigation HKW was able to resolve the claim against the physician and the hospital.
Amount Withheld Workers Compensation Mercer County
Our client was a construction worker who was killed when a crane struck him. On behalf of his estate, HKW & Associates was able to negotiate a substantial death benefit on behalf of the client's estate/
Amount Withheld Product Liability Lawrence County
Our client was a worker in an industrial plant. While working with a piece of equipment, his arm and shoulder were accidently caught in the machine. The accident resulted in our client losing his arm and doing extensive damage to his shoulder. My client was permanently disabled as a result of this accident. HKW filed claims against all the owners of the equipment as well as the manufacturer of the equipment.
Amount Withheld Mesothelioma/Asbestos Allegheny County
Our client worked for six years in the home repair business. She handled asbestos as part of her work responsibilities. Subsequently she developed lung cancer and mesothelioma as a result of her exposure to building products. Our client passed away because of her cancer developed as a result of her exposure to asbestos. On behalf of her estate, HKW filed claims against the manufacturers of these products.
