Sommers Schwartz is actively involved in handling the following defective device and defective drug cases:
1. DePuy Hip Replacement Device
2. YAZ Birth Control Pill
3. Zimmer NexGen Replacement Knee Device
Further, we are investigating all metal on metal hip replacement devices, regardless of brand or manufacturer.
Sommers Schwartz has a long and successful history of representing individuals and families injured by defective drugs and medical devices. Over the years our lawyers have worked on class action cases involving defective pharmaceutical drugs and medical devices. In 2008, Sommers Schwartz expanded its presence in to class action and multidistrict litigation (MDL) with the arrival of class action attorney Jason J. Thompson.
The practice group is comprised of trial lawyers, paralegals and assistants experienced in these cases and is well-equipped to represent clients in large class actions or multidistrict litigation (MDL). Organizing this practice group means Sommers Schwartz is now in the position to work on national drug and device litigation. It also means our clients will be better served.
If you have questions or have a potential mass tort case, please contact Robert Sickels or Jason Thompson.
Each year, Michigan Lawyers Weekly reports verdicts and settlements of $1 million or more . In 2010, several Sommers Schwartz attorneys made this short list. Congratulations to Sommers Schwartz attorneys Andy Kochanowski, Jesse Young, Scott Weidenfeller, David Winter, Lisa Esser, Michael Cunningham and Robert Sickles for obtaining some of the largest settlements and verdicts in Michigan, in 2010. Read about their accomplishments on behalf of their clients, in the following reports. MLW JANUARY 10, 2011
More Settlements and Verdicts
Richard D. Toth Danielle C. Schoeny
Sommers Schwartz has an experienced Appellate Department in house to assist our attorneys with any and all motion and appellate issues which may arise during the course of litigation, as well as post-trial or post-judgment appeals. The Appellate Department includes, Senior Shareholder, Richard Toth, and Associate Danielle Schoeny. Mr. Toth has been with the firm for over 38 years, exclusively practicing appellate advocacy, and has successfully argued major cases before the Michigan Court of Appeals, Michigan Supreme Court as well as the Federal Court of Appeals.Ms. Schoeny has been with the firm since 2003, focusing on motion and appellate practice for the last five years. Mr. Toth and Ms. Schoeny's exceptional legal research and writing with respect to motions in the Circuit Courts and with appellate briefs in the Michigan and Federal Courts of Appeals has helped to obtain favorable outcomes in numerous medical malpractice, product liability, premises liability and other personal injury cases. Our clients can be assured that our appellate department brings years of experience, skill, and knowledge to assist in their case throughout the trial process and on appeal.
If you are an attorney in need of an appellate lawyer to handle a complex motion, or post-trial/post-judgment appeal, please contact Sommers Schwartz at 248-355-0300 and ask to speak to Mr. Toth or Ms. Schoeny, as we gladly accept attorney referrals for a wide variety of appellate work.
by Kenneth T. Watkins, Esq.
I attended a Wolverine Bar Association event where renowned pediatric surgeon, Ben Carson spoke. Beyond his general comments, which were awe-inspiring, I had a chance to talk at length with him about some topics I am passionate about-standards of care in health and the concept of excellence as a responsibility in health care and in everyday life.
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Sommers Schwartz Teams Up with
DetroitLaw.TV
Sommers Schwartz has recently expanded its internet presence participating in DetroitLaw. TV, a legal reference website produced jointly by TheLaw. TV and Detroit ABC television network affiliate, WXYZ-TV.At its roots, DetroitLaw. TV is a law firm directory and legal information portal that helps consumers find legal assistance for a particular legal issue.DetroitLaw. TV has evolved, however, from the mundane lists of firms and attorneys that populate the web into a true consumer education resource. The internet site offers short web videos, each featuring a Detroit metro area attorney who gives a straightforward answer to a consumer frequently asked question or "FAQ." The FAQ's are derived from extensive research which tracked consumer internet searches focused on the law so that the videos are both informative and relevant.
We are proud to announce that eight Sommers Schwartz seasoned attorneys are being featured on the website, each one sharing the benefit of their expertise as the attorney responding to a particular FAQ in several informative videos. The Sommers Schwartz attorneys who participated include:
Dan Swanson
Employment Law
Employment Discrimination Law
Whistleblower Law
FMLA Law
Disability Law
Wrongful Termination Law
Wage and Hour Law
Jason Thompson
Personal Injury as Class Action
Robert Darling
Product Liability
Construction Accident
Richard Fox
Spinal Injury
Dog Bite
Robert Sickels
Wrongful Death
Matt Curtis
Brain Injury
Michael Cunningham
Slip and Fall
Scott Weidenfeller
Liquor Liability
Introducing Our New Attorneys
Sommers Schwartz is pleased to announce the addition of four new attorneys to the Sommers Schwartz team: Lance Young, Andy Dragovic, Krista Taylor, and Tad Roumayah.
Lance Young has joined the Business Litigation Department as a Shareholder. Mr. Young specializes in the area of class actions and has been in practice for approximately 17 years.
Andy Dragovic has joined the Personal Injury Litigation Department as an Associate. Mr. Dragovic specializes in medical malpractice and third party auto negligence litigation. Prior to joining Sommers Schwartz, he was a member of a Royal Oak-based law firm where he gained extensive litigation and trial experience in personal injury and criminal defense cases.
Krista Taylor has joined the Business Litigation Department as an Associate. Ms. Taylor has extensive experience representing entities in intellectual property, complex commercial business, trade secrets and employment litigation.
Tad Roumayah has joined the Business Litigation Department as an Associate. Mr. Roumayah was admitted to the Michigan Bar in October, 2010.He will focus his practice on employment litigation.
Sommers Schwartz Attorney Norman Tucker Named Detroit Area Best Lawyers Medical Malpractice Lawyer of the Year for 2011, and Michigan Lawyers Weekly, "Leaders in the Law" for 2011
Medical Malpractice Lawyer of the Year for 2011
Norman D. Tucker, of Brighton, nationally renowned Medical Malpractice Law and Personal Injury attorney in Detroit, has been named "Detroit AreaBest Lawyers Medical Malpractice Lawyer of the Year" for 2011.
Tucker, who has been on the Best Lawyes in America list for thirteen years, was given its highest honor by being designated the 2011 Detroit Area Medical Malpractice Lawyer of the Year. Tucker, a long time partner at the Southfield law firm of Sommers Schwartz, has practiced in the field of medical negligence his entire career.
Best Lawyers, the oldest and one of the most respected peer-review publications in the legal profession for the last quarter century, is designating "Lawyers of the Year" in high profile legal specialties in large legal communities.
Only a single lawyer in each area is honored as "Lawyer of the Year." As this year's honoree, Tucker received particularly high ratings in its surveys by earning a high level of respect among his peers for his ability, professionalism and integrity.
Sommers Schwartz
Community Involvement
The attorneys and staff are excited to give their time and support to the following organizations this year.
June - Greening of Detroit
On June 4, 2011 a team from the Firm volunteered for their 2nd annual tree planting with the Greening of Detroit organization. The Sommers Schwartz crew successfully planted 15 trees in the Rosedale Park area. The work was hard, but rewarding!
Over the next five years, The Greening will embark on massive tree plantings to help reforest areas hardest hit by the Emerald Ash Borer, planting 45,000 trees on neighborhood streets and major thoroughfares.
June - Habitat for Humanity
On Saturday, June 25th, a team from Sommers Schwartz worked on a Habitat for Humanity remodeling project. Jesse Young, an attorney with the Business Litigation Department has become very involved with Habitat for Humanity and now serves as a site manager on many of their projects. We are proud of our relationship with Habitat for Humanity.
October - Special Olympics, State Soccer Finals,
The State Soccer Finals is one of seven state-level competitions held annually for SOMI athletes. There are a total of 72 soccer teams that will be participating in this event.