Products Liability

• Obtained a defense verdict in 2017 on behalf of a heavy equipment manufacturer as second chair in a five-week products liability jury trial in Sonoma County, California. Plaintiff sought $26 million in damages after losing an arm and a leg as a result of a rough terrain forklift (“telehandler”) tip-over incident. Thereafter, successfully defended the defense verdict on appeal. Verrazono v. Gehl Co., 50 Cal. App. 5th 636, 263 Cal. Rptr. 3d 663 (2020), review denied. (Aug. 12, 2020)
• Won an appeal to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals on behalf of a manufacturer of heavy excavation equipment, involving the application of the economic loss doctrine to claims against the manufacturer resulting from a fire. Secura v. Super Products LLC, 2019 WI App 47, 388 Wis. 2d 445, 933 N.W.2d 161.
• Won a motion to dismiss on behalf of a major U.S. luxury boat manufacturer, on grounds the suit was barred by the mandatory arbitration and forum selection clauses contained in a limited warranty agreement in Walworth County, Wisconsin. (2022)
• Won a motion to dismiss with prejudice as local counsel on behalf of a major U.S. auto manufacturer in a purported product liability class action against it. The class action complaint raised a variety of claims based on an alleged defect in a certain generation of truck engine. (E. Dist. Wis., 2021)

General Liability

• In a claim stemming from one of the largest workplace explosions in Wisconsin history, Rich successfully obtained early, pre-merits discovery summary judgment on behalf of the owner of the dry corn mill where the explosion occurred against the claims of the wife and estate of a temporary mill worker who was injured in the incident and later died from his injuries.  After dismissal, Rich also obtained the denial of plaintiff’s motion for reconsideration.  Finally, Rich prevailed in getting the decisions fully affirmed by the Wisconsin Court of Appeals.  Santiago v. Didion Milling, Inc., No. 2023AP1045, 2024 WL 4457826 (Wis. Ct. App. Oct. 10, 2024).
• After losing a motion to dismiss for lack of timely and proper service of process after an evidentiary hearing in the circuit court, obtained a full reversal in the Wisconsin Court of Appeals with instructions to dismiss our client. Leonzal v. RBJ Restaurant Group, LLC, No. 2021AP621. (Wis. App. Dec. 6, 2022)
• Second chair counsel in three-week wrongful death trial in Clark County (Las Vegas), Nevada. The client asked Gass Turek to try this high-profile, nine-figure case approximately 90 days before the start of trial, which required review of multiple years of extensive discovery, testing through a jury simulation and formulation of trial strategy. (2020)
• Secured two subsequent dismissals of the case of an injured plaintiff clearly engaged in forum shopping, one in Cook County, Illinois, and the other in Lake County, Illinois, on behalf of a major national organizer of outdoor music festivals, ultimately resulting in the settlement of the claim for nuisance value. (2016)
• Received a favorable verdict on behalf of a printing company in a forklift accident case in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin (second chair). (2016)
  Successfully first chaired a bench trial in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, securing a favorable decision on behalf of a health insurer that resulted in the full reimbursement of the client’s subrogation claim. (2015)

Construction

• Successfully prosecuted a roof defect case on behalf of a homeowner under the Wisconsin Home Improvement Practices Act, resulting in a significant settlement the day before the final pretrial conference which covered all of the client’s damages and attorneys fees and expenses.  Ozaukee County, Wisconsin.  (2024)
• Secured a favorable verdict as first chair trial counsel for a construction company in a fire loss case involving allegations of negligent installation of a fireplace and chimney system after a four-day jury trial in Lincoln County, Wisconsin. (2018)