Our Accident Lawyers Current Cases

Washington, D.C., Maryland, & Virginia

The firm enjoys a sterling reputation within the community, which results in our being asked by individuals, including other lawyers, to handle many different types of civil cases. We share with you the following examples of current cases:

Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Represents Individual Permanently Brain Damaged as a Result of the Carelessness of a Drunk Driver.

Our client, a young man who was employed in the important task of serving as an English/Arabic translator, was struck and permanently brain damaged as a result of the extraordinarily careless acts of a drunk driver. Our client was sitting at a red light in Dupont Circle  in Washington, D.C. when a drunk driver, travelling perpendicular to him jumped over the concrete median divider and crashed into his car broadside. The drunk driver was immediately arrested and he has been indicted. The law firm of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. will attempt to hold the bars that served this individual, if they did so when he was visibly drunk, responsible for the permanent injuries caused to our client. The Washington, D.C. trial attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. will vigorously pursue the wrongdoer and anyone else partially or wholly responsible for his condition.

Client Struck Down at Unifest Festival Receives the Entire $250,000 Underinsured Motorist Coverage Payment

Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. partner, Joseph Cammarata, Esq. successfully secured the settlement for $250,000, all of the insurance available, on behalf of our client, an individual struck down at the Unifest Festival. As many of you know, an individual high on drugs ran into a crowd at the Unifest Festival on June 2, 2007. The law firm of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. represents individuals injured as a result of the actions of this driver. The first of the claims in which the law firm has litigated has successfully settled for all of the available insurance. As always, we recognize that no amount of money can compensate an individual for injuries and damages sustained as a result of the wrongdoing of others, but we are nevertheless proud that within 60 days we were able to obtain all of the available insurance for our client.

A Family of Four Injured by a Negligently Driven Tractor Trailer in Virginia and a Family of Five Injured by a Negligently Driven Tractor Trailer in Pennsylvania.

The Washington, D.C. trial attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. represent two separate families out on a family get together when a severe motor vehicle collision was caused by the negligence of the operator of a tractor trailer. One accident took place on I-295 when a tractor trailer in a lane to the left of our clients’ vehicle changed lanes and struck our clients’ vehicle, causing it to spin out and strike the guardrail.

In the Pennsylvania case, our clients were literally run off the road in a tractor trailer resulting in numerous injuries to all of the members of this family, including broken fingers, brain injury, head, neck and back injuries.

Tractor trailers pose a particular threat to the safety of others on the roadway. In the two cases described, the accident affected the lives of every member of the entire family.

Law firm retained in nine separate cases involving pedestrians struck while in the cross walk or in other positions of safety.

Many of you are aware, that the law firm has been hired by the family of a six year old boy struck and killed by an inattentive driver while he was crossing, in a crosswalk, and with a green walk sign. The two cousins of the deceased child were eyewitnesses to the event and were the first people by his side. Unfortunately, these two little boys were present to hear the last words of their cousin and to suffer the consequences of observing this tragic event. The firm represents the family of the deceased minor and the two children eyewitnesses who were in the “zone of danger” and suffered compensable harm. These cases are in suit.

The law firm also represents two individuals struck by a vehicle that ran into a crowd of revelers at the Unifest Street Festival in the Spring of 2007. Both of these cases are about to be put into suit.

Other cases involving serious injuries to pedestrians include a person crossing a street, in the crosswalk with a walk sign outside of Union Station. He was tragically struck at a high speed by a taxi cab. This case, which is currently in suit, seeks not only the insurance policy limits of the taxi cab, which is a $25,000 minimum policy, but all of the insurance available from the company whose “flag” the taxi cab was flying under as well as the underinsured motorist coverage.

Another pedestrian case involves a minor child struck while crossing the street to catch a bus, while another involves a minor child walking along the street after getting off the school bus.

Other cases of pedestrians struck down while crossing the street include a minor child who suffered a severe brain injury that interrupted her high school career.

The law firm is aggressively pursuing each of these claims and will continue to keep you informed of their progress.

Law firm represents family run off the road by a tractor trailer.

The law firm of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. was recently retained by a family of four, each of whom suffered severe injuries as the result of being run off the road by a tractor trailer while driving in Pennsylvania. The mother, father and two children all sustained serious injuries as the car in which they were passengers, rolled over as a result of the collision with the tractor trailer. One of the children was ejected from the car. The law firm of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has a long history of successes prosecuting claims against tractor trailer owners and operators and will vigorously pursue these claims on behalf of this totally innocent family whose lives have been significantly disrupted.

Law firm represents man run over by tow truck.

The law firm of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. was recently retained by and individual literally run over when a tow truck went into reverse apparently without seeing the pedestrian behind him. The pedestrian suffered severe, permanent injury as a result of the carelessness of the tow truck operator. Our client was hospitalized for more than a week and, so far, has had to undergo two surgeries.

Law Firm Hired by Individuals Struck by Drivers Under the Influence of Alcohol or Intoxicated.

1. Driver was arrested for driving under the influence causes the death of a Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. client

   The law firm of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. was recently retained by the family of a woman who was struck and killed by an individual detained at the scene for driving under the influence of alcohol.

2. Victim of April 8, 2007 rear end collision caused by an individual driving under the influence of alcohol retains the law firm of Chaikin, Sherman,  Cammarata & Siegel, P.C.

   The force of this collision caused substantial, permanent injury to our clients face and head. She had to have dental implants to replace cracked or missing teeth. She also sustained a brain injury resulting in treatment by a neurologist to assist in the recovery of lost memory. Additionally, this totally innocent victim sustained injuries to her head, neck, mouth, back and eyes.

   The law firm of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. proudly represents each of these individuals and seeks full and complete justice on their behalf against individuals improperly driving under the influence of alcohol or intoxicated by it.

Law firm hired in tractor trailer collision.

The law firm of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. was recently retained by a lady struck by a tractor trailer that was attempting to make a wide right turn from the center lane. Our client has cervical radiculopathy – tingling and numbness in one of her arms. The law firm of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has represented numerous individuals involved in collisions with tractor trailers will vigorously pursue this claim on behalf of our client.

Law firm represents family members injured during Fourth of July fireworks display.

CSCS was recently retained by members of a family injured when a Fourth of July fireworks display went awry as rockets and other devices shot into the crowd of individuals celebrating the holiday. The organization responsible for providing a safe fireworks display inexplicably wound up shooting the fireworks at, rather than above, onlookers.

Man Pulls Out Own Eyes, Leaving Himself Blind - Law Firm Files Suit Against District of Columbia

Frank Harris Jr. is a patient at St. Elizabeth's Hospital. He was admitted to the hospital in 1973 after he was found not guilty by reason of insanity of two nonviolent property crimes. While at the hospital, Frank Harris Jr.'s condition began to deteriorate, and he was transferred to a section of the hospital where he was provided one-to-one supervision to protect him from harming himself. He was frequently seen by the hospital staff rubbing and pulling at his eyes.

On March 19, 2003, Frank Harris Jr. pulled out each of his eyes from their sockets, rendering himself blind. The person assigned to protect Frank from harm was asleep at the time Frank injured himself. We have been advised that the hospital staff were directed by upper-level employees of the District of Columbia to alter their accounts of the incident at issue. University Legal Services, a federally mandated protection and advocacy agency whose mission is to advocate and protect the rights of disabled citizens of the District of Columbia, was made aware of this tragedy and contacted accident lawyers Ira Sherman and Joseph Cammarata for help for Mr. Harris.

The law firms accident lawyers, along with University Legal Services, filed a lawsuit against the District of Columbia in the D.C. Superior Court alleging that the District of Columbia was negligent in its care and treatment of Frank Harris Jr., and that it violated his constitutional rights.

Pending Cases Involving Brain Injury

1. Claim against a hospital resulting from failure to properly insert a cannula (catheter) into blood vessels of an infant. Cannula slipped out and blood loss was so great that the child had permanent profound brain injury.

2. Failure to timely perform a C-Section resulting in permanent profound brain injury.

3. Negligent performance of embolization of arterial-venous malformation in the brain resulting in permanent profound brain injury.

Law Firm Files Two Lawsuits on Behalf of Two Infants Brain Injured at Birth

Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel P.C. filed two separate lawsuits in United States District Court for the District of Columbia on behalf of families that suffered the same tragic fate, albeit in two different hospitals attended by different sets of physicians. Infant boys, born into each family, suffered profound and permanent brain injury.

The first case, filed November 16, 2006, involves a child transferred from a hospital in Norfolk, Virginia to a local hospital in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area that holds itself out as specializing in the care of newborns. Once there, the child was placed on a machine known as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machine or “ECMO.” The machine is intended to serve as a heart bypass to reduce stress on the child. It is attached by inserting a canula into the aorta and vena cava. According to hospital records, the canula “slipped out.” Blood from the artery into which the canula had been inserted spurted everywhere. It took approximately fifteen (15) minutes to stop the bleeding. By then it was too late – the infant was permanently and profoundly brain injured.

The second case is less complicated but no less tragic. This client went to another Washington, D.C. area hospital for prenatal care and delivery of her child. Despite her cries for help and the demands of numerous family members – none of whom were fluent in English – nurses and physicians failed to properly evaluate the need to deliver this child immediately. When the child was finally delivered it was discovered it had suffered a loss of oxygen during this stressful time. His brain damage was permanent and profound.

Three Month Old Baby Dies of Failure to Treat Even Though the Doctor Had Been Treating the Child for Congestion and Shortness of Breath

In this case, a young first-time mother knew that her newborn was suffering from congestion and, accordingly brought the child to the appropriate physician. Although the doctor recorded the child's congestion and difficulty breathing, he dismissed the problem as a mere “cold.” Thereafter, the mother made repeated contacts and/or visits at the clinic at which this physician was employed. Again the physician noted that the child had “shortness of breath”. Ultimately, the child was taken to Children's Hospital in acute respiratory failure and cardiogenic shock. At this point, there was nothing more that could be done. The baby boy died the next morning. This case which is currently pending in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and will require experts in pediatrics, infectious diseases, pulmonology, vocational rehabilitation (to evaluate the likely job opportunities this child would have had, had he been provided the proper medical care and survived a normal, happy and healthy life), and an economist.

Law Firm Files Lawsuit Against Montgomery County for Police Brutality

On March 28, 2006, while driving on Route 355 in Rockville, Maryland, our client was surrounded and then pulled over by four Montgomery County police cruisers. The police believed it to be a stolen vehicle, since our client had, in fact, previously reported the vehicle as stolen. However, our client had subsequently informed the Prince George’s County Police Department that the vehicle had been found. The Montgomery County Police exited their police vehicles with their guns drawn, and ordered our client to exit his vehicle. Our client complied with all of the officers’ instructions and commands. Nonetheless, the police officers handcuffed him and violently threw him to the ground, slamming his face into the pavement. This abusive conduct fractured a bone in our client’s face and caused a brain injury. After being handcuffed and slammed to the pavement, our client was asked if he owned the vehicle he was driving. He advised them that he did. The police officers confirmed that the vehicle was in fact owned by our client and then released him. Our client was not charged with any crime. The lawsuit seeks $11,000,000.00 in damages.

Man Severely Injured in Head-On Collision – Law Firm Investigating Airbag Failure

A client suffered severe permanent injuries, including a brain injury, and the amputation of his leg below the knee, as a result of his car being struck head-on by a drunk driver. The client was in a coma for approximately 30 days. The client was driving a 2002 GMC Yukon. The SUV’s airbags did not deploy, which may have significantly contributed the man’s injuries. In addition to ensuring the drunk driver his held fully responsible for the injuries she caused, the law firm intends to fully investigate, and pursue damages against the manufacturer of the car, as a result of the failure of the airbags to properly protect the occupants of the vehicle.

Law Firm asked to represent two other developmentally disabled wards of the District of Columbia injured in the group home system. One individual dies.

Since 1999, injury attorney partners Ira Sherman and Joseph Cammarata have represented individuals or families of developmentally disabled individuals who were injured or died while residents of group homes in the District of Columbia. Mr. Sherman and Mr. Cammarata have undertaken two new group home cases:

In the first case, Mark (not his real name) was a resident of a group home. He was blind and deaf. He had a variety of needs for which the group home was responsible for addressing under the supervision of the District of Columbia. He required one-to-one supervision. He was prescribed high doses of psychiatric medications. Over many months his health deteriorated and he developed swallowing problems. He then required assistance with eating. On September 6, 2005, choked while eating canned peaches and died.

The law firm is preparing to file a lawsuit against the group home.

In the second case, Sam (not his real name) had an Individual Support Plan (“ISP”) which recognized that Sam is vulnerable to harm if allowed to travel in the community alone. The ISP required that Sam was to be “shadowed” when outside the group home to ensure his safety. Despite the requirement that he be accompanied while in the community, on April 21, 2006, Sam was permitted to leave the group home without any supervision. Sam walked into the street and was struck by a car. Sam suffered a broken arm, a shattered nasal bone, and a laceration of his head.

The law firm is preparing to file a lawsuit against the group home.

Man Suffers Brain Injury After His Car is Rear-ended by a Tractor Trailer

A client suffered extensive permanent injuries, including a brain injury, as a result of his vehicle being rear-ended by a tractor trailer on the Capital Beltway. The tractor trailer was itself struck in the rear by a negligent driver of another tractor trailer and pushed into the client’s vehicle. The law firm truck accident attorneys have filed a lawsuit against the truck driver and his company which is pending in a federal court in Maryland.

Woman Struck By Car While Crossing Street Suffering Significant Injuries

Our client was crossing the street at a corner which did not have a crosswalk. She was on her way to work. While crossing the street she was struck by a negligent driver who did not see her crossing the street until he struck her with his car. The force of the impact rolled her onto the hood and into the windshield of the car. Our client suffered extensive injuries including fractures to her eye, knee and tibia. The law firm injury attorneys filed suit in a circuit court in Virginia against the negligent driver. The driver’s insurance company has offered to pay the limits of its car insurance policy to settle the claim. We are also making a claim against our client’s own insurance company for underinsured motorist benefits.

Woman Severely Injured in Head-On Collision with Truck

A client suffered severe extensive permanent injuries, including the amputation of her leg below the knee, as a result of her car being struck head-on by a truck which crossed the centerline of the roadway. The law firm has filed a lawsuit against the truck driver and his company.

Man suffers fractured foot - later dies

We represented the widow and family of a man who was injured at work and later died from his injuries. This person was employed as a maintenance worker for a federal agency. One day, while assisting co-workers in re-adjusting a 2,000 pound cover to an industrial air conditioner, the cover fell and struck the man's foot. He suffered multiple fractures to his foot in the accident. Sadly, he died two months later of a pulmonary embolism that sometimes occurs as a result of severe injuries to the legs and feet. The complaint filed in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia alleged the companies that manufactured, installed and maintained the air conditioning unit were responsible for our client's ultimate wrongful death, since they failed to ensure that the cover was adequately secured.

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