The New York Law Journal has ranked Weitz & Luxenberg at the top of its annual list of leading verdicts and settlements, recognizing the firm for securing the highest Products Liability and Motor Vehicle verdicts of the past year. The rankings are determined by the monetary value of jury awards.
“It is an honor to have the New York Law Journal recognize Weitz & Luxenberg for these cases and our hard work in securing successful outcomes,” said Perry Weitz, co-founder of Weitz & Luxenberg. “We are dedicated to serving our clients and these verdicts are evidence of that commitment.”
The New York Law Journal ranked Weitz & Luxenberg’s $20.5 million verdict for a paralyzed hit-and-run victim as the year’s leading Motor Vehicle verdict and fourth highest overall. The owner of the vehicle responsible for the accident had reported his car as stolen hours after the accident. However, Weitz & Luxenberg attorneys Nicholas Wise and Adam Raffo argued in court that the car had not been stolen and was being operated by the owner’s son at the time of the accident.
“Our client sustained serious injuries in this hit-and-run, and this verdict ensures that the owner of the car is held responsible for his role in the accident,” said Nicholas Wise, a senior attorney for personal injury and malpractice at Weitz & Luxenberg.
“The defendant went to great lengths to cover up his role in this hit-and-run, but we didn’t let his deception stop us,” said Adam Raffo, an associate attorney in Weitz & Luxenberg’s personal injury and malpractice group. “This verdict is important in helping our client and his family face the challenges ahead following this terrible accident.”
The firm’s landmark $12.5 million verdict against Caterpillar, Inc., on behalf of mechanic George Cooney, was named as the top Products Liability verdict of the year and 11th highest overall. Cooney developed lung cancer after his decades-long work on Caterpillar forklifts that contained asbestos. While Cooney was unaware of the health risks posed by this equipment, the Weitz & Luxenberg team, led by attorney Danny Kraft, Jr., proved at trial that Caterpillar was aware of the cancer risks from its asbestos-containing parts.
“Caterpillar was aware of the health risks of its equipment but didn’t take steps to protect those like George Cooney, who worked on its products for years,” said attorney Danny Kraft, Jr., associate attorney for mesothelioma & asbestos at Weitz & Luxenberg. “This verdict was an important step in helping to right this wrong.”
The National Law Journal has also recognized Weitz & Luxenberg in its rankings of the nation’s top 50 plaintiffs’ law firms, naming Weitz & Luxenberg as one of “America’s Elite Trial Lawyers.”