Pyka Lenhardt Schnaider Zell Closes Second Quarter With 100% Success Rate

SANTA ANA, CA--(Marketwired - Aug 4, 2014) - Demonstrating the firm's broad expertise and extensive experience, Pyka Lenhardt Schnaider Zell (PLSZ) today announced it has closed the second quarter with an impressive 100 percent success rate. With an overall winning track record of 90 percent, the founding partners of PLSZ have been successfully representing regional and local clients in California for an average of 42 years, boasting more than 150 years of combined experience and more than 250 completed trials.

Some of the firm's recent key verdicts and settlements include:

• Ghaemi v. Mercury Insurance Company: A motorist -- running a red light -- struck a vehicle insured by Mercury which was occupied by five people. After being unsatisfied by the amount awarded by the motorist's insurance company, the five occupants presented an underinsured motorist bodily injury claim against Mercury, arguing they should be paid the per-accident limit of $60,000. Representing Mercury, PLSZ cited case law authority that its maximum exposure on the underinsured motorist bodily injury claim was $30,000; and the five occupants in turn accepted the $30,000.
  
  
• Stottlemeyer v. Neal: Neal -- a recruiter for La Sierra University -- was slowly pulling off his residential street on his way to work, when Stottlemeyer -- racing down a hill on his bicycle -- grazed the front of Neal's car and crashed into the street, breaking his neck and sustaining quadriplegic injuries. PLSZ, representing La Sierra University, deftly developed evidence that Neal was not in the course and scope of his employment at the time of the accident; that Stottlemeyer was speeding and could have avoided the accident; and that Stottlemeyer was not clearly visible to Neal because of a utility pole and his monochromatic clothing without warning lights or other safety devices. Despite the case being handled by a plaintiff counsel, with a reputation for getting very large verdicts, the matter was settled for less than half the future care costs.
  
  
• Rogers v. McNeil: Nikki Di Virgilio and her 11-year-old daughter, Lilly, were on their way to the mountains when Di Virgilio's vehicle was so violently rear-ended by a large tow truck that the car went airborne, flipping over several times. Di Virgilio sustained serious injuries; and Lilly, who had been ejected from the car onto the side of the freeway, also sustained severe injuries, requiring substantial hospitalization and follow-up care. The Di Virgilios sued the tow truck driver and his company, but they in turn filed a cross-complaint against Di Virgilio, claiming that Lilly was not wearing a seatbelt. Both Nikki and Lilly were adamant that Lilly was seat-belted in the car; and even though an expert testified that Lilly would not have been ejected if she were wearing a seatbelt, PLSZ presented a compelling argument in defense of the Di Virgilios, and the jury unanimously found in favor of Di Virgilio.

Because their clients come from all walks of life and from a diverse roster of companies, PLSZ employs attorneys from an array of backgrounds, with varying areas of law expertise and interests, ensuring that each client feels comfortable and well represented. PLSZ has the advantage of having a balanced blend of two generations of attorneys at the firm: established litigators and modern associates. PLSZ principal partners each average 42 years of experience and the firm's partners and associates were chosen based on their top performance and integrity.

Desiring to always provide exceptional results for a reasonable cost, the firm is particularly cognizant of the client's need to obtain an early analysis of a lawsuit along with a projected budget, so -- as early as possible -- it strives to provide a complete evaluation of the case, including risks and anticipated costs. PLSZ attorneys take the time to understand each situation, and continuously engage with and advocate for their clients.

PLSZ is truly a unique law firm, founded on integrity, experience and absolute dedication to its clients. Its proven track record is undoubtedly attributed to its attorneys' vast knowledge of the law, extensive trial experience, and sensitivity to the needs of each client.

To learn more about PLSZ, please visit www.plszlaw.com

About Pyka Lenhardt Schnaider Zell: For more than forty years, the partners of Pyka Lenhardt Schnaider Zell have been serving the legal needs of individuals, public entities, private business and the insurance industry; representing national, regional and local clients in California and Arizona. The four founding attorneys have more than 150 years of combined experience, with over 250 tried to verdict cases and a more than 90 percent success rate. The attorneys of PLSZ represent both the old and new guards of law, and bring a solid combination of experience, efficiency and sensitivity to each of its clients. With expertise in a wide spectrum of civil litigation, including public law (civil rights, premises liability and school district defense), product liability, personal injury, construction defect, employment (including sexual harassment), defamation, mold and toxic tort, PLSZ attorneys bring the same care and respect to each case that comes to their desks. With a guiding principle of keeping clients fully informed of all significant developments in their cases and working closely with them to resolve litigation matters quickly and economically, PLSZ believes that its experience and integrity provide unparalleled efficiency for its clients. For more information, please visit www.plszlaw.com.