1. Workers Compensation – I just finished a case where a man had a major injury to his neck and back as a result of lifting while building a house. Travelers Insurance would not pay any workers’ compensation due to a dispute they were having with the employer. I had to put together a case, hiring a well-qualified orthopedic surgeon to review the records, examine the client and testify in the case. I also hired a vocational expert to review the client’s work history and physical limitations. On the day of trial, the workers’ compensation carrier caved in and agreed to pay the client all the money owed to him and to pay him into the future.

2. Workers Compensation – In another case pending in the Detroit Workers’ Compensation Bureau, the client had a prior eye problem that gave him usable sight in only one eye. A work related assault injured the other eye, giving him vision while staring only straight ahead. He had no side vision. The loss of vision entitled him to benefits from the State of Michigan Second Injury Fund. I filed the petition against the employer and the Second Injury Fund. That case recently concluded with the Second Injury Fund agreeing not only to pay Mr. Ross all past due benefits but to pay him future benefits with rate increases into the future.

3. Workers Compensation – In another workers compensation case in the Detroit Bureau, a man sustained head trauma in the course of his employment causing him to need attendant care. His wife supplied the attendant care. The insurance carrier would not pay the wife the attendant care. I was able to utilize an expert to prove the value of the wife’s services. The doctors testified that the care was necessary. We wound up not only getting the employee a lump sum, but getting the insurance company to purchase an annuity so that if the wife outlived her husband, she would have economic protection.

4. Workers’ Compensation – A client sustained injuries in an auto accident that occurred in the course of her employment as a workers for a non-profit organization. Her lawyer referred this client to me because of my expertise in the areas of auto accidents and workers’ compensation. We brought a claim against the driver responsible for the collision. Utilizing a retired judge as a facilitator, we resolved the claim against the other driver for a substantial amount. At the same time, I filed a petition for payment of wage loss and medical bills. I then resolved the workers’ compensation case obtaining for the client many years of wage loss benefits and payment for her medical bills.

5. Auto Negligence – In a recent case filed in the Macomb County Circuit Court, the client was a passenger in a vehicle driven by a drunk driver. However, the driver of my client’s car. Although intoxicated, did not cause a crash. Another drunk driver smashed into their car causing my client severe injuries. I had to hire an expert to put together the crash scenario. The police officers testified that the driver of my client’s car did not cause the crash. The insurance company refused to pay due to the intoxication of the driver of my client’s car. Eventually, on the eve of trial, the case was settled for a substantial amount.

6. Auto Negligence – Another lawyer referred his elderly client to me because it involved a very serious auto accident that occurred in the course of his employment, thereby involving issues of Michigan’s no-fault law and workers’ compensation. Within nine months, utilizing a facilitator that I knew would be well respected by the insurer, I resolved the case for a quarter of a million dollars.

7. Police Misconduct – My client was roughed up and embarrassed by some police officers when my client protested being evicted from a store where he was getting his cell phone recharged. The police attempted to charge him with loitering. The police wound up dropping the charges and the City of Detroit wound up paying the man a large amount of compensation as the result of this unfortunate experience.

The above cases are just recent examples of the types of difficult cases that I have handled and won. Over my 34 years of experience, I have gone to trial in hundreds of cases, taking many of them up through the appellate courts to eventual victory. These cases have involved medical and legal malpractice, construction accidents, auto collisions, disputes with insurance carriers, premises liability and business disputes. When I first meet the client, I see where the case should go and guide the case along the path to where we will have the greatest opportunity for success. I am not afraid to change course when necessary but do not deviate from that ultimate goal of victory. I am responsible for what happens on your case. However, like all good trial lawyers, I start writing my closing argument when I first meet the client. I prepare the case, go to trial where necessary and prepare and write the appellate briefs when cases go to higher courts on appeal. Don’t be afraid to call or write me to discuss your personal situation. I look forward to meeting you.

William S. Stern