Lawsuit Funding Supports Cases When Government Entities Appeal

Poorly designed roadways, intersections, or means of controlling traffic, such as a traffic light can cause or contribute to an auto accident. When this happens, government entities can be held liable. The issue in any lawsuit is whether the government failed to fulfill its obligations of making sure a dangerous road is somewhat forgiving of driver error. Successful cases not only benefit the client, they directly force changes in dangerous road conditions that can save lives. Challenging the government is a daunting task that can take years, but demanding accountability is critical to obtaining justice.

On March 1, 2013, Thomas Guilmette, a scientist with Northrop Grumman, sustained massive injuries after his motorcycle collided with a SUV making a left turn at an intersection. Guilmette was transported to a nearby hospital where he died a short time later.

The investigation revealed that Guilmette was riding his motorcycle east on Summerland Avenue. The driver of the SUV had stopped at the stop sign northbound on Cabrillo Avenue at Summerland. Unable to see around the line of parked cars that blocked his view of oncoming traffic, the driver of the SUV slowly inched forward. Guilmette, who was traveling 30 to 35 mph and not speeding, according to witnesses, clipped the front end of the SUV.

Guilmette’s family filed a lawsuit alleging the city of Los Angeles had received complaints for years that the intersection was dangerous but did nothing to make it safer. The lawsuit alleged that the intersection was inherently flawed; drivers trying to turn left from Cabrillo onto Summerland were forced to pull into the intersection because of impaired visibility due to a hill and parked cars. The claim alleged that the crash could have been avoided if the city had followed through and made changes to the intersection that had been planned for more than a decade. After Guilmette’s death, a stop sign was added to make the intersection a four-way stop. Additionally, curb parking was restricted to improve visibility.

Following a two-week civil trial, a 12-member jury unanimously ruled that the city of Los Angeles was 95 percent responsibly and ordered to pay $23.7 million to the plaintiffs. The city plans to appeal.

An appeal could take up to a year-and-a-half to file. Until then, no payout will be made to the family. With an appeal, the plaintiff may face the legal process and waiting period all over again. There may be just one problem – the bills must be paid. Times like this, lawsuit funding can help.

When a government entity doesn’t do the right thing, Lawsuit Financial will continue to provide non-recourse cash advances to plaintiffs who are fighting without adequate resources to do so. Simple complete an online application and we will do the rest. There are no application fees, credit checks, employment verification or monthly payments. The only time we ever receive money is when the case has successfully settled and funds are dispersed. Because our funding is on a non-recourse basis, if there is no settlement, even on appeal, there is no repayment; the cash advance is waived in its entirety.

If you are a plaintiff experiencing financial hardship while waiting for resolution from your lawsuit or an appeal, a lawsuit cash advance may be your solution to avoiding financial implications. Call Lawsuit Financial toll free at 1-877-377-7848 for a free, no obligation consultation or complete our online funding application.