Rich Gallagher

Geoff McDonald and co-counsel represented roughly 7,600 universal life policyholders hit with steep cost-of-insurance increases by Banner Life and William Penn, securing a $22.5 million cash fund inside a settlement the court valued at more than $40 million.

A shopper struck in the right calf by a heavy detergent bottle at a store checkout developed fatal wound complications, and Geoff McDonald & Associates resolved the premises-liability claim for $2 million.

A roofer left paralyzed from the waist down after falling on the job for an uninsured contractor settled his Virginia workers' compensation claim for a $2 million lump sum.

Edwin Palma, a roofing laborer from Guatemala, fell from a barn roof in Harrisonburg while setting trusses and was in a coma for several weeks. A deputy commissioner of the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission held the general contractor, Stone Hill Construction, liable as his borrowing employer and awarded weekly wage-loss benefits and ongoing medical care. The full Commission affirmed on April 28, 2016, and Virginia Lawyers Weekly reported the award's value at $1.4 million.

A 32-year-old plumber was hit broadside in his work van by a driver going over 100 mph in Virginia on Nov. 20, 2015, fracturing his neck and back and leaving him partially paraplegic in both legs. His workers' compensation claim and his motor vehicle claim were settled together in April 2017. Every motor vehicle carrier tendered its policy limits.