IB Members in Action: Major Wins and Momentum Across the Country

At Injury Board, we are proud to shine a spotlight on the outstanding work of our members who continue to fight for justice and make an impact in their communities and courtrooms. The past quarter has brought a wave of powerful verdicts, creative trial strategies, and meaningful client outcomes. Here are just a few recent highlights from across the IB family shared in our email discussion thread:

$24.1M Verdict in Landmark Lead Poisoning Case

Rapoport Weisberg Sims, alongside non-IB Member Firm VanOverloop P.C., secured a $24,141,000 jury verdict on behalf of two children who suffered severe lead poisoning while living in Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) housing. The case uncovered decades of concealed lead paint violations and marked the largest verdict ever against the CHA in a lead poisoning matter. Lead trial attorney Matthew S. Sims, with partner Melanie J. VanOverloop, Associate Zar Khodavandi, and Legal Assistant Colleen Lata, brought compelling evidence and unrelenting advocacy to this groundbreaking case.

$49M Verdict in Oregon Wildfire Case

Wm. Keith Dozier, LLC helped deliver a $49 million jury verdict in a damages-only phase of litigation related to the devastating 2020 Labor Day fires in Oregon, caused by PacifiCorp’s reckless failure to shut off power during high-risk weather conditions. Keith Dozier and co-counsel John Coletti streamlined their trial strategy using fast-paced presentation techniques, AI-powered tools, and minimal exhibits—producing a high-impact result for seven deserving plaintiffs, including an 82-year-old widow who lost everything. This innovative trial strategy was supported by IB Corporate Member Supio, whose medical history summaries streamlined trial prep. Keith credits part of his embrace of this modern approach to a meaningful dinner conversation at the 2023 IB Summit in Big Sky, Montana with IB Member Wayne Parsons and Wayne’s wife Hallie.

$25M Verdict in Product Liability Wrongful Death Case

A $25 million verdict was secured by TorHoerman Law in a wrongful death case involving the tragic drowning of a 2-year-old child due to a design flaw in an above-ground pool. The case presented unexpected last-minute challenges—particularly a ruling requiring comparative fault to be applied to the parents just before closing arguments. Despite the hurdles, IB Member Eric Terry and the rest of the legal team prevailed. IB Member Keith Dozier of WKD Law also provided valuable support with voir dire jury analytics.

$12.5M Verdict in New York Sex Abuse Trial

Chris O’Brien of O’Brien & Ford secured a $12.5 million verdict in a Child Victims Act case involving the sexual abuse of a student by a high school music teacher in Rochester, NY, during the early 1980s. The trial strategy focused on building a strong timeline and using visual aids to support the client’s powerful testimony. The jury assigned 40% fault to the school district and 60% to the absent perpetrator. Chris’s openness to trial learning and commitment to justice helped deliver this powerful win.

$2.5M Verdict in Challenging Nebraska Auto Injury Case

Dan Friedman of Friedman Law achieved a $2.5 million verdict in Sarpy County, Nebraska—a notoriously conservative jurisdiction—on behalf of a motor vehicle crash victim in a case fraught with complex medical history, credibility challenges, and a tough defense. Dan and his co-counsel were the fourth team on the case and overcame obstacles ranging from an uncooperative treating physician to a client’s preexisting conditions and sensitive history. Dan called it “the most high-wire lawyering” of his career—and it paid off.

IB Member Running for Reelection in NJ Assembly

Jessica Ramirez of D’Arcy Johnson Day, who was elected to the New Jersey Assembly in 2024, is now running for reelection. Jessica continues to bring her legal expertise, community values, and IB spirit to public service. Let’s show her the same support she’s always given our community! You can contribute to her campaign here.

$2 Billion Verdict in Roundup Trial

Tobi Millrood of Kline & Specter secured a $2 billion verdict in a landmark Roundup trial in Georgia. Tobi and his colleagues have been on the front lines of this litigation for years, relentlessly pursuing justice for clients harmed by Bayer’s glyphosate-based herbicide, Roundup. This verdict not only represents a significant legal victory—it also reinforces the importance of standing up to powerful corporations when public health is at stake. Read more about the case and this historic outcome here.

Know a Win We Should Feature?

If you or your firm have a recent verdict, legal success, or community win to share, we want to hear about it. Send your story to discussion@lists.injuryboard.com so we can celebrate it in our next Member Success update.

Together, we keep raising the bar—for each other, and for the clients and communities we serve.