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MyLegalWorld |
 mylegalworld.com is the web site for the St. Louis, Missouri based law firm of PEDROLI & GAUTHIER
We are a St. Louis, Missouri, law firm located in Clayton, Missouri, the county seat for St. Louis County, Missouri. We are conveniently located near the geographic center of the St. Louis metropolitan area. We are located one block from the Missouri Circuit Court for the County of St. Louis, ten minutes from the Missouri Circuit Court for the City of St. Louis and from the Missouri Circuit Court for the County of St. Charles, and fifteen minutes from Illinois. A substantial area of our practice relates to the representation of people who have claims which involve “MEDICAL-LEGAL” matters. Medical-legal matters deal with the application of your legal rights resulting from any injury/damage to you or wrongful death. If your physical or mental health and well being have been impaired from the conduct of others there may be a legal obligation to compensate you for the damages. Such situations are diverse and can include: medical malpractice; injuries on another's premises from an unsafe condition; injuries from vehicular accidents including commercial vehicles; injuries from exposures to toxins or an unsafe environments; injuries from criminal activities on the property of others; injuries or occupationally induced conditions/diseases; or injuries from dangerous products, drugs or medications. When a client sustains injury, we aggressively pursue an investigation. We review the codes in effect, the industry standards and practices, the medical standards, relevant literature, standards of conduct and prior cases. We will search for evidence to help us prove that the injury is the direct result of the conduct or condition. We will search the medical standards for literature to support the physician’s opinions on medical causation. Whatever evidence is necessary and relevant to proving and supporting a case, we will seek to put before a jury. We use Powerpoint and other computer applications and we typically visually record deposition testimony for use at trial. We consider our firm to be on the cutting edge of high tech applications for use during mediations, arbitrations and trials. For the types of cases we handle and some successful past results, see our past experiences. For more About Us click here. RECENT NEWS/HIGHLIGHTS In 2011, we are taking on retail outlets for thier failure to protect customers from Peeping Toms in the changing rooms. These retailers are negligent in their polocies and procedures as well as in the design of the changing rooms. We are prepairing to launch a lawsuit against and other retailers for their hand in these privacy invasions. Click here to see FOX 2 Video. In 2011, we have recently taken on the Internet Content Facilitator, backpage.com for allegedly aiding and abetting the sexual trafficking of children on the internet. Click on the above Press Releases link at the top of the page. The District Court has ruled that only Congress can change the immunity granted to these Internet facilitators of child sex trafficking, but we are taking the case to the Appellate Court. If you are aware of any such minor victims, please ask their adult representative to contact us. We would be happy to investigate their possible case. The more pressure we can put on these facilitators the quicker we can push these corporations out of business. Click here to read more.
In 2010, we settled a suit against a negligent driver (non-commercial vehicle) who rear ended our client on the Interstate causing him to be rear ended again by another vehicle. Our client was rendered unconscious and was in a coma for six weeks. We obtained court intervention and named his Mother as his legal representative so that we could file suit to aid in immediate discovery. This gave us subpoena power and allowed us access to evidence. Through our immediate intervention we were able to inspect all three vehicles to aid in a reconstruction of important elements of the accident. We were able of obtain 911 tapes and locate numerous witnesses to the facts surrounding the accident. Our client sustained a brain injury and a fracture to his spine that did not result in a spinal cord injury. The total settlement was $1,300,000.00. The case was settled within five months of the accident. This allows our client to have access to better medical treatment and to provide an income stream during his recovery. He is well on the road to recovery. He has regained significant function and has been discharged from the hospital. See link, click here. In 2010, we settled a suit against a driver for a single car accident in St. Charles, Mo., widely considered the most conservative urban jury pool in the State of Missouri. The case involved alcohol and settled for $1,150,000.00, within about 8 weeks of a preemptory trial setting, and within days of plaintiff's withdrawal of their demand to settle within policy limits. The Court had just allowed discovery on the issue of punitive damages. We were successful in putting significant pressure on the insurer of the driver to foment the fair settlement. Click here. In 2009, we settled a suit against a hospital and physician's office relating to the mishandling of an abnormal mammogram report that resulted in a two year delay in treatment of a Stage I breast cancer. The cancer developed to a Stage III tumor. The case was hotly contested on the issues of negligence, comparative fault, causation, damages and injury from the delay. There was finger pointing between the physician's office and hospital mammogram center. FDA rules and radiological standards were critical to the outcome of the case. The case settled for over $650,000.00. The client is still cancer free over five years from diagnosis. See link, click here.
In October, 2008, we completed the settlement of a malpractice claim against a local hospital for injury to an in-patient in a locked psychiatric unit. The injury occurred during a suicide attempt. The case settled for $500,000.00. See our past experiences section for this case and others or click here to be directed to that case. In September, 2008, we closed the bariatric medical malpractice wrongful death claim, which was the largest reported settlement of any malpractice claim in 2007, with the resolution of the final claim against the final defendant. This final settlement brings to total wrongful death settlement to $4,600,000.00. Click here. 5-1-08, See Official Press Release, regarding the settlement of the claim of the tow truck driver who was struck by St. Louis Cardinals pitcher, Joshua Hancock. The Hancock Family's claim against the tow truck driver was the subject of national and local media coverage. TORT REFORM/WHY IT'S BAD FOR ME Corporations and insurance companies want to pass laws ending or limiting contingency fees so that only the rich can afford good lawyers. Those who attack trial lawyers know that we are the only remaining effective lobby force protecting consumers of medical and other services and goods in our society. Don’t let your rights be limited by scare tactics. TORT REFORM allows defendants to make a big mess but to be responsible for only part of their mess. Good Mothers and Fathers teach their children to clean up their whole mess, and to be fully responsible for all of their conduct. Therefore, TORT REFORM is wrong because it allows some of us to avoid responsibility for their conduct. A recent study on rising insurance rates, dropping claims and dropping claim payments, reveals that insurance companies are gouging the medical profession while creating an argument that frivolous lawsuits are to blame. See example here. This study was based upon insurance data provided to the various states and was authored by a former State of Missouri Insurance Commissioner. Calls are made for investigation and regulation by two State Attorneys General and a State Insurance Commissioner. When the insurance industry is gouging the medical profession those costs are passed on to the consumers, us. See study here. There is a case currently pending before the Supreme Court of Missouri constitutionally challenging caps on damages in medical negligence cases. One of the main arguments urged that the insurance crisis, which was the justification for the damage caps, was a fraud perpetrated by the insurance industry and its lobby groups. The Supreme Courts in Georgia, a red state, and Illinois, a blue state, have declared damage caps to be unconstitutional. Allstate fined $25,000.00 per day for failure to comply with Missouri Court's Order requiring the release of their claims handling policies in suit by policy holder claiming, what we at Pedroli and Gauthier believe is already obvious, that Allstate treats their own policyholders poorly to the profit of Allstate. The fine is over $4,000,000.00 as of April 2008. Florida suspended Allstate from writing new auto policies for its refusal to produce these records in Missouri according to The Countian, a St. Louis County publication, April 10, 2008. We are taking on retail outlets for thier failure to protect customers from Peeping Toms in the changing rooms. These retailers are negligent in their polocies and procedures as well as in the design of the changing rooms. We are prepairing to launch a lawsuit against and other retailers for their hand in these privacy invasions. Click here to see FOX 2 Video. We were recently involved in successfully defending a tow truck driver who was sued by the family of St Louis Cardinal’s pitcher Josh Hancock. Our strategy, which was closely followed by the local and national media, caused the lawsuit to be dismissed and the claim discharged by the Hancock Family. This case was the subject of national and local news media coverage. Although we attacked the case a frivolous, in radio interviews, KMOX Interview of June 20, 2007, Mr. Pedroli explained how this case should not reflect upon other legitimate cases in the civil system. ATTORNEY’S FEES We almost always accept clients on a contingency fee in personal injury cases so that you can hire us without paying an hourly fee. This means that we talk with you for FREE. If you are physically unable to come to us, hospital or house visits can be arraigned. CELLULAR/CELL PHONE ACCIDENTS Cellular phone usage while operating a motor vehicle is the subject of great debate and controversy today. Are you the victim of a distracted driver who was using a cell phone instead of directing their attention to the task of driving their motor vehicle? Whether or not your state of residence officially bans the use of cellular phones while driving , or whether a ticket was issued under this ban or for otherwise operating a vehicle while distracted, we will pursue such driver vigorously if they were on the phone while driving. In our cases, we have obtained cell phone account records and pursued claims for punitive damages alleging that the use of a cell phone while driving is reckless conduct. Contact us if you have any questions or if you are a victim of a distracted driver. 2007, RECORD MEDICAL MALPRACTICE SETTLEMENT We handle medical negligence (malpractice) cases resulting in death or serious permanent injuries including but not limited to cases involving: birth injuries, cerebral palsy, bariatric (weight loss gastric bypass) surgery, nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals, vascular damage, infections, strokes, drug reactions, surgical errors, plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, gynecological surgery, sexual assaults on patients, patient falls, emergency room, facial and sinus surgery, nerve injuries and etc. We are equipped to handle all areas of medical negligence cases. We have successfully tried and settled failure to diagnose cases as well as cases involving operative errors and post operative errors. We have settled several bariatric claims for over $1,000,000.00. AS MENTIONED ABOVE, IN ONE RECENT WRONGFUL DEATH CASE AGAINST A SURGEON, A BARIATRIC HOSPITAL AND ITS WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM THE SETTLEMENT TOTALED $4,500,000.00 AND WAS REACHED AFTER DISCOVERY WAS COMPLETED AND WITHIN MONTHS OF TRIAL. SEE THIS CASE AND OTHERS IN THE Past Experiences SECTION. The information that we are allowed to provide regarding this case is subject to a limited confidentiality agreement, which does allow the particular disclosures contained in this site. We have access to top experts in their respective medical fields. We handle cases involving nursing, chiropractors, medical doctors, physical therapists, dentists and substantially all areas of the health profession. For more information go to our medical negligence page and our past experiences page. For more Medical Malpractice click here. MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE CASES CAN INVOLVE INVESTMENTS OF LARGE SUMS OF MONEY AND TIME. IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A LAW FIRM WITH RESOURCES AND A TRACK RECORD TO GO AGAINST BILLION DOLLAR HOSPITALS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES. CHOOSE WISELY. TRACTOR TRAILER/18 WHEELER ACCIDENTS We have been handling cases for our clients who were involved in accidents with the commercial trucking industry (common carriers). These commercial vehicles are also know as 18 wheelers, tractor trailers, commercial trucks, and bobtailing tractors( when not pulling a trailer under lease). We have handled several such claims against large waste trucks as well. We are familiar with the industry standards, the new trucking location technology and the United States Department of Transportation rules and regulations controlling the industry. In the cases we handle, we examine issues relating to driver's logs, truck maintenance records, safety inspections, drug and alcohol use and computer speed records. We have access to industry expert witnesses and accident reconstruction engineers where these services are needed to present the case. We have several verdicts and settlements against big trucks for in excess of a million dollars. If you are involved in an accident with an 18 wheeler or other commercial truck, contact us immediately as time is critical for a good investigation. Remember, the trucking industry reacts instantly to a serious accident with investigators and industry friendly accident reconstructionists. See our Past Experiences. For more Tractor Trailer Accidents click here. We handle ANY AND ALL workers’ compensation injuries including: repetitive stress (carpal tunnel syndrome); psychological stress; burns, amputations, dental, cardiac stress; pulmonary impairment; reactive airways disease; traumatic brain injuries; back and disc injuries; knees, shoulders and other joint injuries and occupational conditions; electrical shock/neurological injury (electrocution is death caused by electrical shock) and disabilities caused by scars. We have won and settled permanent total disability claims as well as employee death claims. We have been successful in cases involving: injury from chemicals and toxins; injuries occurring on production and assembly lines of large corporations; injuries caused by production machinery and injuries caused by electrical shocks. We will pursue cases against any liable third party that caused your work related injury and this will typically give you additional recovery and allow your employer or their insurer recover some of their costs paid to you for your injury. We handle motor vehicle, motorcycle, atv, and pedestrian accident cases including cases involving post traumatic stress, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, burns, fractures, injury to joints and cartilage, nerve entrapment injuries, internal injuries and neck and back soft tissue injuries. We have successfully handle all product liability injuries (caused by manufactured goods · appliance, automotive, roller skates, toys, rv’s, seatbelts, airbags, tools, fireworks and seatbelts) for injuries/death including blindness, scalds, amputations, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, hearing loss, spinal cord injuries and electric shock injures. WE MAY BE ABLE TO RECOVER FOR YOU EVEN IF THE PRODUCT WAS MANUFACTURED IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY. If an injury arises from the condition of property owned by another, the theory of liability is generally known as premise liability. Some examples of premise liability cases are (slip and fall cases; assaults on commercial property; dram shop cases; architectural and premise design induced accidents; landscaping design cases; and attacks or injuries caused by domesticated animals including dog bites.) The injuries include drowning, wrongful death, electrical shock, paralysis, fracture, sprains, and many of the above listed injuries. We also have a traffic law and criminal law section to assist many of our current and past clients. We can often resolve your ticket or ordinance violation without points and often without a court appearance or office visit. MORE ABOUT US There are many other areas of law which we pursue, including insurance coverage disputes pertaining to homeowner and insurance claims and other insurance law issues, builders’ liability, commercial litigation and professional malpractice. We succeeded in a case against the Missouri Insurance Guarantee Fund, having the Court enter judgment for the Fund’s limits of liability on a child’s claim and the derivative claim of her mother arising from the same injury. We pursue, litigated and settled several discrimination claims. Many of our clients have health plans through their employer. These plans seek to obtain a part of your recovery under federal ERISA laws. Many law firms simply pay these claims from the settlement as demanded. Our firm has a policy and practice of aggressively fighting these claims for the benefit of our clients. We have developed a trade secret process which has netted our clients a larger part of the settlement. We require the health plan to prove every aspect of their claim for reimbursement of their medical expenses and to prove their rights to reimbursement. In many cases, we have put additional thousands and even tens of thousands of dollars in our client's pockets. We handle criminal law and traffic matters. Please see our traffic and criminal law pages, or call us for a confidential interview. Our prices are fair and we will aggressively defend you from improper government intrusions and violations. Although we do not give advice on the web, we recommend that all of our clients watch the following link, have your friends and relatives watch it as well. Contained therein you will find real words of wisdom, and without further ado, and with all due respect to our law enforcement officers: DO NOT TALK TO THE POLICE. Click here! Busted: The Citizens Guide to Surviving Police Encounters. Click here
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SEE: PRESS RELEASE regarding lawsuit against Village Voice Media Holdings, LLC d/b/a backpage.com SEE PRESS RELEASE OF VVMH,LLC. SEE MEMO OF LAW ATTEMPTING TO HOLD BACKPAGE.COM LIABLE ATTORNEYS GENERAL LETTER TO BACKPAGE.COM REQUESTING THE ADULT SERVICES SECTION BE TAKEN DOWN. We are conveniently located in downtown |
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