Michael Nelsen v. Hillyard, Inc., et al.

Press Release - Record $21 Million Verdict for Iraq War Veteran

October 16, 2009

A San Bernardino, California jury returned a record verdict on Friday afternoon, October 16, 2009, in an automobile accident case of over $21 million ($21,067,093.53) in favor of a 29-year-old, single Iraq War Navy veteran, Michael Nelsen of Orange County, California against Hillyard, Inc., one of the largest distributors of cleaning equipment and supplies in North America.  Mr. Nelsen was represented by Los Angeles trial lawyers Panish, Shea & Boyle LLP (Brian J. Panish and Spencer R. Lucas were trial counsel). 

On August 17, 2007, a Hillyard driver negligently rear-ended the vehicle in which Mr. Nelsen, then 27, was a passenger.  Mr. Nelsen’s vehicle was traveling at a speed of approximately 15 miles per hour when it was struck by the Hillyard van traveling at 80 miles per hour.  As a result of the impact, Mr. Nelsen sustained numerous fractures, including a broken femur, and suffered a stroke resulting from blood clots that developed as a result of his injuries.  The stroke resulted in permanent brain damage of 2/3 of the left side of his brain. 

Mr. Nelsen, who had previously completed two tours in Iraq with the United States Navy, was a talented and creative artist who was studying at the California Art Institute at the time of the collision.  As a result of his devastating injuries, he will require 24-hour care for the remainder of his life. 

“This verdict will allow Michael to get as close as possible to living the life he deserves,” said lead trial counsel, Brian J. Panish.  “The verdict will free up time for his family members who have been so dedicated to caring for him since the accident,” Panish added.  “The family wants to thank Judge Brian McCarville and the people of San Bernardino County for giving them a fair and just trial,” Panish said.

This is the second recent case for an Iraqi war veteran by Panish Shea & Boyle.  The firm obtained a $13.5 million settlement for Army Chief Warrant Officer Juan Beltran who was injured on a maintenance test flight in Tikrit, Iraq.

Michael Nelsen v. Hillyard, Inc., et al., Case No. CIVSS 800884

Superior Court of the State of California, County of San Bernardino

The Hon. Brian S. McCarville, presideing

Aviation Disasters Wrongful Death Toyota Accelerator Recall Toyota 2010 Recall News Stroller Recall Train Accidents Product Defects CT Scan Radiation Injury Bus Accidents Business Litigation Pharmaceutical Litigation Yaz Side Effects Hydroxycut Recall Corporate Fraud Government Liability General Personal Injury Automotive / Tire Defects ATV/ Rhino Rollovers Harbor / Port Injuries More Practice Areas

Latest Firm News

Michael Nelsen v. Hillyard, Inc., et al. - Record $21 million verdict for Iraq war veteran. 27 year-old Iraqi War veteran Michael Nelsen injured when Hillyard, Inc. truck rear-ended Mr. Nelsen's vehicle on the I-15 freeway.

Tilton v. Sempra - $15 million verdict for brain injury to minor resulting from a power company truck hitting a family vehicle.

Dominguez v. San Francisco - $21 million settlement while case was on appeal. Wrongful death of 4 year-old girl. Largest settlement ever paid by San Francisco.

Contreras v. State of California - $9 million settlement for amputation caused by a damaged freeway guardrail.

Don Gino Dominguez v. South Central Los Angeles Regional Care Center - $2 million verdict for wrongful death of a mentally and physically disabled 39 year-old man. Health care center left man unsupervised and he choked to death.

Doe v. Driver - $5.5 million settlement for death of pedestrian in an auto accident.

Doe v. Oil Refinery - $6.2 Million settlement for wrongful death and personal injury caused by the collapse of tank floating roof.

Avila v. Dresick Farms - $5.64 million dollar jury verdict for girl injured in truck v. van collision. Believed to be the largest verdict in the history of Imperial County, California.

Konrad, et al. v. Hewlett-Packard - Lawsuit filed against Hewlett-Packard for pretexting journalists and their families

Chief Warrant Officers v. Boeing, et al. - $13.55 million settlement for Army maintenance officers severely injured in the crash of Apache Longbow helicopter on a maintenance test flight during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq.

Does v. Doe Auto Manufacturer: confidential multimillion dollar settlement on behalf of a family involved in on-road rollover of sport utility vehicle.

Does v. Van Manufacturer and Rental Company - Confidential multi-million dollar settlement on behalf of the survivors and family members of 14 church group members involved in a fifteen passenger van rollover.

Hill v. Titan Tire - Confidential multi-million dollar settlement for a 42 year old man who sustained brain injuries following a tire failure on his vehicle.

Dominguez v. San Francisco - $27.4 Million Verdict - Mother and 6 others witnessed a city truck driver run over her daughter on a sidewalk. City completely denied responsibility. Largest verdict ever against the City of San Francisco.

Sherman v. Courrege - $25.5 Million Verdict - Wrongful death of mother, father, and son hit by a drunk driver.

Sorenson v. Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway - $2.8 Million Verdict - Plaintiffs were parents of a 48 year-old man killed when a freight train crashed into a commuter train.

Doe v. Auto Manufacturer - Major Confidential Settlement Fuel fed fire caused by defectively designed 15 passenger van rollover. Many occupants killed or severely burned.

Flores v. Continental Tire - Major Confidential Settlement - Woman sustained paraplegia when the right rear tire on the family's Ford Windstar van experienced a tread belt separation, causing the vehicle to roll over.

Panish, Shea & Boyle on TV - The trial attorneys at Panish, Shea & Boyle have been on numerous televisions shows because of their involvement in many high profile cases.