Portner & Shure March 2015 Litigation News

           Associate Attorney, Christina Ruhl won a verdict of over $12,650.00 against State Farm in Anne Arundel County District Court.  The defense had disputed both liability and damages.  The Defendant claimed that the Plaintiff had pulled out from a stop sign and made a left turn in front of him, causing the collision.  The Plaintiff, on the other hand, claimed that he had stopped at a stop sign, which was set far back from the travel lanes of the cross street.  Intending to make a left turn, Plaintiff then inched forward to get a better view, but never into the thru lanes of the cross street.  The Defendant, who was traveling at a high rate of speed swerved to the right, incorrectly thinking the Plaintiff might pull out in front of him.  The Defendant struck Plaintiff where he was stopped and spun his vehicle almost 180 degrees into the intersection. 

Ms. Ruhl used the physical evidence at the scene to prove that the Plaintiff never entered the path of the Defendant, and that Defendant’s swerving had caused the accident.  The physical evidence included skid marks, the final resting locations of the vehicles, and other physical damage to the scene.  After proving liability, Ms. Ruhl argued for her client’s medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.  Plaintiff recovered the full amount of his medical bills plus pain and suffering damages of $7,500 and lost wages of approximately $3,700, for a total verdict of over $12,650.00. 

Portner & Shure Employee Spotlight March 2015

           This month, we honor Sarah Sadler, Portner & Shure’s Operations Manager, as she has reached a major milestone: 20 years in the Portner & Shure family.  Sarah has been an integral part in helping this firm recover over $175 million in awards for accident victims over the years.  She also works directly with the heads of different departments including marketing, social media, and paralegals to make sure all aspects of the firm run smoothly.  Most importantly, Sarah has helped keep the firm at the top by staying up-to-date with top-of-the-line technology as the legal industry continues to change and evolve.  Portner & Shure is one of the few firms in Maryland and Virginia that uses Needles, an advanced case management system that keeps track of every offer made by insurance carriers.  Further, Sarah makes sure that the firm has a large presence on the Internet with Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Blogger, Avvo, and Google+.  She is also responsible for making sure every client is extremely satisfied with our services rendered, and is the main reason our firm has numerous 5-star reviews.

            When Sarah is not doing work for Portner & Shure, which is rare, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Stu, and two children, Alexandra and Jessica.  She also loves cheering on the Orioles and Ravens.  Finally, Sarah adores her dogs, especially her German Sheppard, Cooper, who you have probably seen on our Facebook page, if you have “liked” us.

            Portner & Shure certainly would not be one of the top personal injury firms in Maryland and Virginia without the hard work and dedication that Sarah has poured into the firm.  Thank you Sarah!

 

Portner & Shure Employee Spotlight: February 2015

           Bartola Flores has worked at Portner & Shure for approximately three years as a Spanish translator and legal assistant.  More than ten years ago, she came to the United States from El Salvador and did not speak any English.  She attended community college and studied business administration while learning English.  Family is something that is very important to Bartola.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her 8 year-old son, Diego.  She also stays busy by playing video games with Diego and taking him to soccer and swimming.

Just recently, she began working with Portner & Shure’s Spanish social media and online marketing departments, in addition to her normal work on various personal injury claims.  She is now transitioning from a legal assistant to our Spanish Marketing Coordinator.  She maintains our auto accident, criminal, and DUI Spanish blogs.  In addition, she produces and edits YouTube videos and tweets on the firm’s Spanish Twitter account.  While you will never see Bartola in any of the videos, just know that she is involved in every video Portner & Shure posts to its YouTube channel.  She will certainly have her hands full with these new roles, but she says that she enjoys everything she takes on at Portner & Shure.  As a result of her hard work, Portner & Shure is currently on the first page of any internet search for a Spanish-speaking accident lawyer in Maryland or Virginia.