Verdicts and Settlements - Premier Personal Injury Lawyer in New Jersey
Since its formation in 1996, Mella and Dimiero has provided dedicated personal service to individuals suffering severe injuries as a result of fire, explosions, electrocution, product liability, medical malpractice, birth injury, spinal cord injury, brain injury, dangerous premises and auto accidents. Because each client receives the personal representation of either James Mella or Alfred Dimiero, each a premier personal injury lawyer, the New Jersey firm focuses upon victims whose lives have been tragically diminished by the carelessness of others. The firm has successfully prosecuted claims against multibillion-dollar corporations and insurance companies. Below you will find a sample of the successful cases concluded by Mella and Dimiero in the past nine years:
Third-degree burns to greater than 50 percent of a 37-year-old electrician's body when a defective commercial electrical switchboard exploded in an electrical arc blast. Following a vigorously contested two-week trial by Mr. Dimiero, the jury awarded plaintiff and his wife the sum of $55 million, which was the largest personal injury verdict ever in New Jersey and in the top 100 in the United States for 2001. The claim was settled on very favorable terms ($24.6 million) following a successful defeat of the defendant's new trial motion and appeal.
$500,000 settlement on behalf of an infant who suffered third-degree burns to her thighs after pulling a bowl of hot liquid from a microwave oven. Claim of defective design against microwave manufacturer in failing to provide lockout device which would prevent access to oven by young children.
Second- and third-degree burns to palm of hand suffered by high school student who contacted an unshielded radiator in classroom. $200,000 settlement against school board.
Second-degree burns to portion of the face of a 75-year-old female when alcohol applied to face ignited during cauterization surgery. $167,500 settlement
Settlement of $3.8 million for wrongful birth claim in New Jersey resulting from the improper reading and interpretation of a prenatal pelvic sonogram. Male infant was born with deformed limbs. The settlement utilized a structured settlement and special needs trust to assure payment of maximum benefits to infant.
Settlement of $3.7 million for female infant who suffered pre-natal intracranial hemorrhage due to neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia pupura (NATP). The settlement utilized a structured settlement and special needs trust to assure payment of maximum benefits to infant. The award also included compensation to the parents for the heartache of caring for a disabled child. This medical malpractice action included a claim of negligent genetic counseling as well as failure to provide proper in utero treatment of the fetus.
Delay in following up on suspicious mammogram and in diagnosing breast cancer. $400,000 settlement.
Settlement of $1.75 million in medical malpractice (defective medical device) suit arising out of negligently performed spinal surgery and improper implantation of a Halifax clamp into the victim's spinal canal. Quadriplegia.
AIDS transfusion jury verdict of $1.2 million. The case was ultimately resolved for $400,000.
Verdict of $1.1 million obtained in cardiology malpractice case arising from the failure to properly medicate irregular heartbeat.
Settlement of $650,000 for male suffering from subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE) resulting in a cerebral infarction.
Legal Malpractice:
Settlement of $1.72 million for claim against attorney for failure to properly prosecute orthopedic medical malpractice case.
Diving Accidents:
Settlement of $1.5 million for spinal cord injury and wrongful death of adult male arising out of diving accident in a shallow portion of a backyard swimming pool. Allegations that improper design and lack of effective warnings contributed to the accident.
Other personal injury cases successfully prosecuted by James Mella and Alfred Dimiero include:
Settlement of $2 million to dockworker who was injured when a forklift he was operating toppled, resulting in paraplegia.
Jury verdict of $1 million obtained for laborer who fell from a ladder and suffered a depressed skull fracture.
$300,000 settlement for volunteer firefighter who suffered a foot crush when a fire truck outrigger was deployed. Claim that fire truck was defectively designed by not having a sound alarm on the outrigger.
$450,000 for adult male's loss of fingers on one hand due to electrocution (power line contact).
Personal injury cases taken to the higher courts in New Jersey
In addition, both Mr. Mella and Mr. Dimiero have successfully argued on behalf of their clients in New Jersey appellate courts. In fact, Mr. Dimiero successfully argued the case of Mancuso v. Neckles before the New Jersey Supreme Court, which resulted not only in a victory for the firm's client, but also expanded the rights of victims of medical malpractice in New Jersey.
The firm's clients have depended upon Mr. Mella and Mr. Dimiero to seek redress for the most horrifying injures including third-degree burns, quadriplegia, paraplegia, brain injures, and death. Contact Mella and Dimiero for a premier personal injury lawyer in New Jersey.
