Why hire a pretender? Although some "defense litigation firms" claim they have proven track records when it comes to defending cases, none of their attorneys have picked a jury in years, if ever. While sometimes used interchangeably, there is a clear distinction between a "Litigation" Attorney and a "Trial" Attorney. What is the difference? Most lawsuits are settled before they ever reach a jury. Many self-proclaimed  "litigators" have never selected a jury, presented an opening statement or a closing argument.  Litigators conduct pre-trial discovery, file motions, and attend mediations where the case usually settles. Do you really want your important case used as a "learning experience" for a law firm's inexperienced associate if the case needs to be tried? 

On the other hand, a "Trial" attorney tries cases before juries. The outcome of a trial clearly depends on a number of case-specific factors. While no responsible attorney would make any guarantees as to the outcome of any particular case, consistent jury verdicts should be an important metric when deciding who defends your case. 

MAY 31, 2017

Harris County, Texas, 234th District Court

Obtained a take-nothing judgment in Harris County, Texas in a personal injury (automobile accident) case where Plaintiff claimed low back (L4-L5; L5-S1) injuries requiring an epidural steroid injection (ESI). At trial, Plaintiff requested reimbursement of her medical bills totaling $34,966.70 and an additional $10,000.00 for physical pain and suffering sustained in the past. After deliberating for only 40 minutes, the jury by a 10-2 vote, determined the Plaintiff was negligent and 100% responsible for the accident. Because the jury determined the Plaintiff was 100% responsible, the Plaintiff recovered nothing.

MAY 23, 2017

Harris County, Texas, 269th District Court

Obtained a take-nothing judgment in Harris County, Texas in a personal injury (automobile accident) case where Plaintiff claimed neck and low back (L5-S1) injuries. Despite the jury finding that the negligence of Milan’s client proximately caused the accident, the jury awarded the Plaintiff nothing for physical pain sustained in the past, nothing for physical impairment in the past and nothing for reasonable expenses of necessary medical care incurred in the past. 

Plaintiff alleged medical expenses totaling $17,505.00:

• Chiropractic Care: $6,835.00

• MRI Imaging $2,450.00

• Epidural Steroid Injection L5-S1: $7,620.00

• Clinic Fee (ESI) $   600.00

During Plaintiff’s deposition, it was discovered that he treated with the same chiropractor for a previous accident (only months prior to this loss) and that this prior accident (with similar injuries to the neck and low back) was never disclosed to Plaintiff’s pain management doctor. The pain management doctor was presented via videotaped deposition where he conceded that he became aware of the Plaintiff’s prior accident only three weeks before the trial and was not aware of it when he treated the Plaintiff. In addition, the pain management doctor agreed with the defense that Plaintiff’s pre-existing and chronic condition of bilateral foraminal stenosis could be the source of Plaintiff’s low-back pain.

At trial, Milan argued the bills for Plaintiff’s chiropractic care were not admissible because a controverting affidavit was timely filed by the defense and the Plaintiff’s “pain management” doctor was not properly qualified to testify about the reasonableness of the chiropractic bills. The Judge agreed with the defense’s argument and the entire $6,835.00 in chiropractic care was excluded at trial. The admissible medical expenses submitted to the jury totaled $10,670.00. Plaintiff requested an additional $10,670 for physical pain and $10,670 for physical impairment, for a  total of $32,010.00.  After a 1 ½ - day trial, the Jury awarded absolutely nothing for the Plaintiff’s alleged injuries.

MARCH 30, 2017

Harris County, Texas, 234th District Court 

Obtained a favorable jury trial verdict in Harris County, Texas in a personal injury (automobile accident) case filed by two Plaintiffs and three minor children ages 4, 3, and 2. Milan stipulated that his client, who was distracted and proceeded through a red light at an intersection, was liable for the motor vehicle accident. However, Milan argued that his client was not liable for the bodily injuries alleged by the Plaintiffs. 

Following the accident on December 29, 2013, Plaintiff #1, a 41-year old male, alleged lower back and neck pain, shoulder pain and knee pain. After undergoing both cervical and lumbar MRI’s, Plaintiff #1 was diagnosed with disc herniation’s at C5-C6 (1.5 mm) and C6-C7 (1mm) and a disc herniation at L5-S1 (4 mm). Plaintiff #1 received a recommendation from an orthopedic surgeon for a 2-level bilateral transforaminal ESI (epidural steroid injection). 

Plaintiff #1’s Claim for Damages

Plaintiff #1’s past medical expenses totaled $13,560.00. His future medical expenses consisted of a 2-level bilateral transforaminal ESI at an estimated cost of $14,000.00. Plaintiff #1 requested $27,560.00 in economic damages. Plaintiff #1 also demanded $8,000.00 for physical impairment sustained in the past, $4,000.00 for physical impairment in the future, $8,000.00 for physical pain and suffering in the past and $4,000.00 for physical pain and suffering in the future. He also requested property damage compensation for the difference in market value, if any, between the market value in Harris County, Texas of his vehicle that was damaged, immediately before the occurrence and immediately after. Plaintiff #1 asked the jury to award him at least $51,560.00.

Plaintiff #2, a 30-year old female, alleged low back pain. She had a lumbar MRI taken post-loss which revealed a broad based posterior protrusion-subligamentous disc herniation at L5-S1 (2.8 mm). 

Plaintiff #2’s Claim for Damages

Plaintiff #2’s past medical expenses totaled $10,090.00. Plaintiff #2 requested $10,090.00 in economic damages. Plaintiff #2 also demanded $8,000.00 for physical impairment sustained in the past, $4,000.00 for physical impairment in the future, $8,000.00 for physical pain and suffering in the past and $4,000.00 for physical pain and suffering in the future. Plaintiff #2 asked the jury to award her at least $34,900.00.

Minors’ Claims for Damages

Child #1 (Age 2) incurred $1,580.00 in admissible past medical expenses.

Child #2 (Age 4) incurred $2,015.01 in admissible past medical expenses.

Child #3 (Age 3) incurred $2,060.00 in admissible past medical expenses.

After deliberating for 3 ½ hours, the jury award was as follows:

Plaintiff #1:

• 9,325.00 in past medical expenses. This was $4,235.00 less than his admissible medical specials.

• $1,200.00 in physical pain and suffering in the past. This was $6,800.00 less than what he demanded at trial.

The jury did not award Plaintiff #1 anything on his claims for medical expenses in the future, physical impairment in the past, physical impairment in the future, and physical pain and suffering in the future. Despite the liability stipulation, the jury did not award anything on the property damage claim for the alleged damage that the car sustained.

Plaintiff #2:

• $6,475.00 in past medical expenses. This was $3,615.00 less than her admissible medical specials.

• $1,200.00 in physical pain and suffering in the past. This was also $6,800.00 less than what she demanded at trial.

The jury did not award Plaintiff #2 anything on her claims for medical expenses in the future, physical impairment in the past, physical impairment in the future, and physical pain and suffering in the future

Child #1 was awarded $785.00 in past medical expenses ($795.00 less than the admissible specials) and $150.00 for physical pain and suffering in the past.

Child #2 was awarded $895.00 in past medical expenses ($1,200.00 less than the admissible medical specials) and $150.00 for physical pain and suffering in the past.

Child #3 was awarded $865.00 for medical expenses in the past ($1,195.00 less than the admissible medical specials) and $150.00 for physical pain and suffering in the past.

Plaintiff #1’s jury award was $41,035.00 less than his trial demand.

Plaintiff #2’s jury award was $27,225.00 less than her trial demand.

FEBRUARY 2017

Harris County, Texas, 55th District Court 

Obtained a favorable jury trial verdict in Harris County, Texas in a personal injury (automobile accident) case filed by two Plaintiffs and a minor child. Plaintiff #1, a 36-year old male, alleged lower back and neck pain following an accident in December 2014. Plaintiff #1 was diagnosed with disc herniations at L2-L3, L3-L4, and L4-L5.  In addition to receiving a recommendation for L2-L3, L3-L4, and L4-L5 medial branch blocks, Plaintiff #1 received a surgical recommendation for an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion at C5-C6 and C6-C7 with an estimated cost of $216,332.51.  He additionally received an epidural steroid injection (ESI) at L4-L5 prior to trial. His past medical expenses totaled $30,034.00. Pre-trial, Plaintiff #1 demanded $1,232,000.00 to settle.

Plaintiff #2, a 41-year old female, had an MRI taken post-loss which revealed cervical disc herniations at C3-C4, C4-C5, and C5-C6. She was also diagnosed with disc protrusions at L5-S1, C6-C7, and C7-T1. Plaintiff #2 received a surgical recommendation for a posterior lumbar interbody fusion at L5-S1 at an estimated cost of $188,275.00. She also received two epidural steroid injections (ESIs) at C5-C6 and L5-S1 prior to trial. Her past medical expenses totaled $35,597.78. Pre-trial, Plaintiff #2 demanded $250,000.00.

At trial, both adult Plaintiffs requested at least $250,000.00. In addition, they asked the jury to award them damages for medical care expenses incurred in the past, medical care expenses in the future, physical pain sustained in the past, physical pain sustained in the future, mental anguish in the past, mental anguish in the future, physical impairment in the past, and physical impairment in the future. 

After deliberating for 2 ½ hours, the jury only awarded $21,101.00 to Plaintiff #1 and $20,826.00  to Plaintiff #2 for medical care expenses incurred in the past. The jury awarded nothing on Plaintiffs’ remaining claims. The jury awarded the minor child $195.00 in past medical expenses and $500.00 for past physical pain. Plaintiff #1 was awarded $8,933 less than his incurred medical specials while Plaintiff #2 was awarded $14,771.78 less than her incurred medical specials. 

October 2016

Dallas County, Texas, 162nd District Court

Obtained a favorable jury trial verdict in Dallas County, Texas in a personal injury (automobile accident) lawsuit filed by the Plaintiff. Plaintiff alleged disc protrusions at  L4-L5 and L5-S1 as a result of the accident. At the time of trial, Plaintiff’s admissible medical specials were $12,469.00.  Plaintiff requested additional compensation for medical care in the future, physical pain and mental anguish sustained in the past and physical pain and mental anguish she will in reasonable probability sustain in the future. After a 2 day trial, the jury deliberated for almost three (3) hours and awarded Plaintiff nothing on her claim for medical care expenses in the future, as well as nothing on her claim for physical pain and mental anguish in the future. The jury awarded the Plaintiff $1,246.90 for past medical care expenses and $700.00 for past physical pain and mental anguish, for a total judgment of only $1,946.90. This final jury award was $10,522.10 less than the Plaintiff's admissible medical expenses.

June 2016

Harris County, Texas, 269th District Court

Obtained a favorable jury trial verdict in Harris County, Texas in a personal injury (automobile accident) lawsuit filed by the Plaintiff. Pre-trial, Plaintiff demanded $25,000.00 for alleged injuries sustained in the accident which occurred on June 3, 2014. Plaintiff alleged a disc herniation at C3-C4 and disc bulges at C4-C5 and C5-C6. At trial, Plaintiff’s admissible medical specials were $14,456.66. Plaintiff requested additional compensation for physical pain in the past and future and reasonable medical care incurred in the past. The jury deliberated for a little over two (2) hours and awarded Plaintiff nothing on his claim for physical pain sustained in the past as well as nothing for his claim for physical pain in the future. The jury awarded Plaintiff $11,210.96 for past medical care, which was $3,245.70 less than his admitted medical specials and $13,789.04 less than his pre-trial demand.

May 2016

Harris County, Texas

Obtained a defense verdict in Harris County, Texas in a property damage lawsuit filed by the Plaintiff. At trial, Plaintiff conceded she was the only party with a stop sign and that she entered the intersection without seeing the Defendant's vehicle. 

February 2015

Harris County, Texas, 334th District Court

Obtained a favorable jury trial verdict in Harris County, Texas for his client, PrimeFlight Aviation Services, Inc. (“PrimeFlight”),  a wheelchair service provider at Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) . The Plaintiffs’ live pleading demanded between $500,000.00 and $1,000,000.00 in damages. The matter involved the alleged negligent transport of the Plaintiff in a wheelchair. The Plaintiff, who was blind, was accidentally tipped out of the wheelchair at an elevator by an employee of PrimeFlight. Plaintiff’s husband also made a loss of consortium claim. Milan admitted liability at trial and argued the case on damages. After a three day trial, the jury deliberated for a little over two (2) hours and awarded the Plaintiff $3,000.00. Plaintiff’s  husband received nothing on his loss of consortium claim. 

August 2014

Harris County, Texas, 334th District Court

Obtained a favorable pre-trial ruling for his client, a major airline carrier, in a premises liability case filed in Harris County, Texas. The matter involved the alleged negligent transport of the Plaintiff in a wheelchair by a third-party contractor and an allegedly defective elevator at Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas. The trial Court granted the major airline carrier's no-evidence motion for summary judgment.

July 2013

Tarrant County, Texas, 67th District Court

Obtained a favorable pre-trial ruling for his clients in a premises liability case filed in Tarrant County, Texas. This case involved an alleged slip-and-fall by the Plaintiff at the Grapevine Mills Mall.  Prior to filing the Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment, Milan successfully argued to have ten (10) of the Plaintiff’s expert witnesses excluded from testifying at trial. The Court ultimately granted the Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment (both No evidence and Traditional) and dismissed all of Plaintiff’s claims with prejudice.

June 2013

Tarrant County, Texas

Obtained a dismissal with prejudice in Tarrant County, Texas of a lawsuit filed against his client, Service Management Systems, Inc. The dismissal with prejudice precludes plaintiff from re-filing her case against this client. Plaintiff alleged the client was in control of all of the elevators at the Ridgmar Mall, and that an allegedly defective elevator caused the plaintiff’s injuries. Early analysis of the plaintiff’s petition revealed the client was not responsible for elevator maintenance. This early action saved the client thousands of dollars in pre-trial discovery and litigation costs.

May 2013

Nueces County, Texas

Obtained a dismissal with prejudice in Nueces County, Texas of a lawsuit filed against two of his clients, a security company and its director of security. The dismissal with prejudice prohibits the plaintiffs from re-filing their case against these clients. Plaintiffs alleged false imprisonment, assault & battery by offensive physical contact and bystander mental anguish.

February 2013

Harris County, Texas

Obtained a dismissal without prejudice in Harris County, Texas of a subrogation case filed against two of his clients, a trucking company and its driver. Plaintiff alleged the trucking company negligently entrusted its vehicle to the driver, and that the company’s driver was negligent. Additional research revealed that the plaintiff was the only party who received a traffic citation at the scene of the accident, and prior to the lawsuit being filed, the plaintiff pled guilty to making an unsafe lane change.