NURSING HOME

Joel Selik was referred a Nursing Home Case from Lawyer Referral Service. Patient, a 65-year-old mentally retarded woman was a resident of a local North County Nursing Home.  The Nursing Home resident was wheel chair bound and was severely palsied.  The overworked and understaffed nursing assistants wheeled the resident to the cafeteria and left her there alone.  The resident requested and was given a boiling hot cup of tea although she could not be fed without assistance due to her shaking and palsy.  The water was superheated.  The hot water spilled over the resident and, as there was no staff present, there was no aid provided.  Eventually the staff found her in torment and thought she had soiled herself.  As staff took off her clothing her skin peeled off.  The staff realized, then, the patient was seriously injured.  Instead of calling an ambulance, the untrained staff telephoned the Director of Nurses. She was taken by ambulance to a hospital. She eventually died from her wounds.  This was not medical/nursing malpractice but Elder Abuse. After litigation, but prior to expert designations, the case settled for a confidential amount. Lawyer referral service was paid a significant fee.

TRAFFIC

Joel Selik represented a 21-year-old man who had previously had his license revoked for minor in possession of alcohol (Selik had that ticket dismissed in prior litigation).  A year after license revocation, as Client was to regain his license, Client was charged for loud exhaust, driving without a license and open container.  On trial on the matter Selik was able to have the most serious charge of driving without a license dismissed on Motion. 

AUTOMOBILE COLLISION

Joel Selik represented Plaintiff and her husband who were broadsided by defendant with a significant insurance policy. Property damage was minimal, husband had no injuries.  Plaintiff at first had soft tissue like symptoms.  Months after collision Plaintiff had more severe back injuries eventually resulting in one surgery with possible many others.  Defendant claimed: pre-existing condition and had biomechanical expert and orthopedic surgeon who testified that it was impossible for the Plaintiff to have received the claimed injuries from such a minor collision.  Settled for ¾ of Policy Limit with complete waiver of $50,000 health insurance lien. 

LEGAL MALPRACTICE--NEVADA

Underlying case was slip and fall in restaurant in a casino.  Attorney sued casino but not owner/operator of restaurant.  Attorney discovered his mistake and then initiated a cover up and then withdrew.  Case was eventually dismissed on Summary Judgment.  Selik was able to obtain a settlement for 1.5 times the value of the underlying case and a complete waiver of all medical billing.

IDENTITY THEFT

Selik represented a client whose girlfriend opened up credit cards in his name.  The girlfriend then hid his mail for the bills on the credit cards.  When client was sued, girlfriend accepted service, entered an appearance and stipulated to a judgment, all without client’s knowledge.  Selik filed motion to set aside judgment. Judgment was set-aside and credit card companies corrected client’s credit history.