Missouri Injury Lawyers Blog

Attorneys Rex Gump and Chris Faiella of Tatlow, Gump, Faiella & Wheelan, LLC obtained a global seven figure settlement on behalf of a couple who were injured when their pickup truck was struck from behind by a commercial box truck on a divided highway. The client's vehicle went off the right hand side of the roadway, struck a highway sign and continued into a ditch where it landed upside down. The husband sustained multiple broken bones and was hospitalized for an extensive period of time.

Our investigation revealed that the operator of the box truck was in the course and scope of his employment. It also revealed that he was operating a vehicle in a rain storm at a high rate of speed with his windshield fogged over. Numerous eyewitnesses and medical and police personnel were interviewed to determine these facts.

Continue reading "TGFW Attorneys Negotiate Large Settlement in Serious Truck Crash" »

The attorneys and staff at Tatlow, Gump, Faiella & Wheelan, LLC would like to wish you and your family a safe and very Merry Christmas.

The attorneys and staff at Tatlow, Gump, Faiella & Wheelan, LLC would like to wish you and your families a happy Thanksgiving. Be safe.

Moberly attorney, Sidney Eckman Wheelan of the firm Tatlow, Gump, Faiella & Wheelan, LLC, was recently awarded the distinction of Advocate by the American Association for Justice (AAJ). The goal of AAJ's Achievement Recognition Program is to build and develop professional knowledge through a continuing commitment to improving members' trial skills and understanding of substantive law. Active participation in this program provides recognition for dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm to continue to pursue legal education.

Ms. Wheelan and the other attorneys at Tatlow, Gump, Faiella and Wheelan, LLC continue to represent clients in a broad range of litigation primarily focused on serious personal injury and its tragic consequences including wrongful death, bad faith insurance denials, and defective products.

The Moberly law firm of Tatlow, Gump, Faiella & Wheenlan, LLC, would like to congratulate Cassie Carpenter, an associate with the firm, for being selected to participate in the Missouri Bar Leadership Academy for the 2011-2012 year. The Leadership Academy is made up of 12 young (under age 40) or recently admitted (less than 10 years of practice) members of the Missouri Bar. The academy seeks young lawyers who already exhibit outstanding leadership in their communities and a commitment to the legal community and profession. Academy participants are nominated by attorneys, firms, coworkers or local attorney organizations. Out of nominees from all over the state, no more than 12 participants are chosen to for the program.

Members of each year's Leadership Academy class participate in the Missouri Bar Annual Meeting, Board of Governors meetings, committee meetings, and workshops specifically designed for the Leadership Academy. For one year, the members work closely with bar leaders to learn more about the Missouri Bar, cultivate leadership skills, and develop a public service project. At the end of the year each member commits to two additional years of active service in the Missouri Bar.

Ms. Carpenter has been with Tatlow, Gump, Faiella & Wheelan, LLC, since January of 2010. Her primary areas of practice include personal injury, insurance coverage disputes, wrongful death, insurance bad faith, product liability and workers' compensation, as well as other general plaintiff litigation.

Chris Faiella of Tatlow, Gump, Faiella & Wheelan LLC
selected by Aspatore Books
as author in new authoritative book,
Inside the Minds: Representing Plaintiffs in Personal Injury Cases

Chris Faiella, managing member at Tatlow, Gump, Faiella & Wheelan LLC has been recognized as a leading plaintiff's attorney in personal injury cases by being selected as an author in the recently released book, Inside the Minds: Representing Plaintiffs in Personal Injury Cases, published by Aspatore Books, a Thomson Reuters business.

Inside the Minds: Representing Plaintiffs in Personal Injury Cases (ISBN: 978-0-314-27801-2) provides an authoritative, insider's perspective on key strategies for representing and advising plaintiffs in personal injury disputes. Featuring experienced partners from law firms across the country, these authors guide the reader through the process of bringing a successful complaint, including utilizing experts, considering venue options, and presenting compelling evidence to the jury. These top lawyers offer advice on handling the discovery process, preparing witnesses for trial, and most importantly, proving negligence. From researching the complaint to managing expenses, these leaders stress the importance of creating open lines of communication with clients. This book also discusses the role of alternative dispute resolution in personal injury cases. The different niches represented and the breadth of perspectives presented enable readers to get inside some of the great legal minds of today, as these experienced lawyers offer up their thoughts around the keys to success within this ever-evolving field.

The Inside the Minds series provides readers with an unprecedented introspective look into the leading minds of the business and legal world. For complete information on Aspatore titles, please visit www.west.thomson.com/aspatore. This book can be purchased immediately by calling 1-866-ASPATORE or by visiting: http://west.thomson.com/representing-plaintiffs-in-personal-injury-cases-leading-lawyers-on-managing/181939/41191549/productdetail.

Mr. Faiella is a Managing Member with the law firm of Tatlow, Gump, Faiella & Wheelan, LLC which represents clients in a broad range of litigation focused on personal injury and their tragic consequences throughout Missouri and all surrounding states. Mr. Faiella focuses his law practice on cases involving injuries and insurance coverage, including automobile and truck accidents, insurance coverage litigation, agent negligence, bad faith cases and other complex injury cases. Mr. Faiella is licensed to practice in all Missouri courts as well as before the Supreme Court of the United States, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, United States District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri.

Aspatore Books, a Thomson Reuters business, exclusively publishes C-Level executives and partners from the world's most respected companies and law firms. Each publication provides professionals of all levels with proven business and legal intelligence from industry insiders--direct and unfiltered insight from those who know it best. Aspatore Books is committed to publishing an innovative line of business and legal titles that lay forth principles and offer insights that can have a direct financial impact on the reader's business objectives.

Moberly, MO-Based Chris Faiella of Tatlow, Gump, Faiella & Wheelan, LLC Authors Chapter in Inside the Minds: Representing Plaintiffs In Personal Injury Cases

The law firm of Tatlow, Gump, Faiella & Wheelan, LLC wishes to congratulate its managing partner, Chris Faiella, on being chosen as an author by Aspatore Books, a Thompson Reuters business. The book is titled Inside the Minds: Representing Plaintiffs In Personal Injury Cases. Mr. Faiella's chapter is titled, "Knowing Your Client and Your Case: The Foundation of a Successful Case Strategy for Personal Injury Lawyers." It is a work written by leading lawyers on managing discovery, preparing witnesses and presenting the plaintiff's case. Thompson Reuters is the largest publisher of legal books and resources in the world. Mr. Faiella's book will be available to other practicing attorneys for purchase through the Thompson West Group.
Mr. Faiella's practice focuses on personal injury and insurance cases. His practice is throughout the State of Missouri in state and appellate courts. So far this year Mr. Faiella has recovered a three million dollar ($3,000,000.00) recovery against an insurance company for bad faith in its mishandling of a wrongful death claim, two million six hundred and seventy thousand dollar ($2,670,000.00) recovery in an insurance bad faith claim arising out of a serious trucking injury, and a nine hundred thousand dollar ($900,000.00) recovery for a young man who was injured in a motorcycle accident. Mr. Faiella has handled more than 30 cases resulting in million dollar awards to his clients, and has been listed in Missouri Lawyers Weekly Top Verdicts and Settlements seven times. He is also rated AV by Martindale Hubbell, a peer based review. AV is the highest rating for legal ability and ethics.

Continue reading "TGFW Attorney Chris Faiella Selected to Author Chapter by Aspatore Books, a Thompson Reuters Business" »

Thankfully, it seems that our long, cold winter is finally over as signs of spring are all around us. We hope you are enjoying the warmer weather.

The Law Firm of Tatlow, Gump, Faiella & Wheelan, LLC would like to congratulate partner Chris Faiella for again being recognized by Missouri Lawyers Weekly for Top Verdicts & Settlements of 2010. In March 2010, Chris reached a $3.125 million dollar settlement for his client who was injured after getting pinned between two vehicles in 2008. The client suffered severe permanent injuries to both legs, including an above-the-knee amputation of his left leg.

The accident occurred when the defendant stepped on the gas instead of the brakes by mistake. The plaintiff was pinned between the bumpers of two vehicles. His left leg was crushed and eventually had to be amputated due to complications. The plaintiff underwent several painful procedures in an attempt to save his leg, but none were successful. The plaintiff's right leg was also fractured in the accident and he experienced several other serious complications during his medical treatment. The plaintiff's injuries rendered him unable to work. His damages were approximately $66,000 in lost earnings and $370,000 in medical bills. His future life care costs are estimated to be $734,000.

Chris Faiella joined TGF& W in 1995 after graduating from the University of Missouri--Columbia School of Law. Along with the other attorneys at TGF&W, he focuses his litigation practice on serious personal injury and its tragic consequences including wrongful death, insurance, bad faith and products liability.

This November there will be many non-partisan judges asking for Missourians to vote to keep them on the bench. How do you decide who will get your vote? One resource you may want to consider has been compiled by the Missouri Bar's Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee. They gathered data and opions from all judges seeking retention and conducted an extensive evaluation of each. The evaluations are available to the public on the Missouri Bar's Judging the Judges 2010 website.

Non-partisan judges make up a very important part of our legal system here in Missouri. Having non-partisan judges helps keep politics out of our courtrooms. For more information on Missouri's non-partisan court plan, visit the Show Me Courts website.

The attorneys and staff of Tatlow, Gump, Faiella & Wheelan, LLC wish you a safe and happy Labor Day weekend.

This month the law firm of Tatlow, Gump, Faiella & Wheelan LLC is celebrating fifteen years of service by Judy Cummings. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Judy for her many years of service and loyalty to the firm. We know that the growth and success of our firm is largely dependent on having strong and capable staff members, and we recognize the contribution Judy has made. Judy has been the firm's bookkeeper and information technologist since August 1995.

Rex Gump and Sidney Wheelan, partners at Tatlow, Gump, Faiella and Wheelan, LLC, of Moberly, Missouri, recently returned from a five day educational conference presented by the American Association of Justice in Vancouver, B.C. The conference allowed accomplished trial lawyers and experts from across the U.S. and Canada to meet to discuss the latest developments in trial advocacy. The attorneys attended specialized educational courses in such areas as interstate trucking litigation, insurance bad faith, defective products, traumatic brain injuries and more. As lawyers in out-state Missouri practicing in both state and federal courts, it is extremely important for us to stay abreast of the continuously changing law in our areas of practice. The courses presented by the AAJ provide exceptional opportunities to increase our knowledge and better represent our clients.

This month Tatlow, Gump, Faiella & Wheelan LLC is celebrating twenty years of service by Sidney Eckman Wheelan, a partner with TGFW. Sidney joined the firm in 1990 as a paralegal. After working for a few years, she decided to attend law school but continued to work for the firm. Sidney graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law in 1999 and became an associate attorney at TGFW. Last summer, Sidney became a partner at TGFW.

During her time here, Sidney has successfully handled many claims for personal injuries, insurance bad faith, wrongful death, workers' compensation, social security disability and many other areas of litigation. She is a member of a variety of professional organizations, including the Missouri Association for Trial Attorneys and the American Association of Justice. Sidney is also active in many community organizations in Monroe and Randolph counties.

Cassie J. Carpenter, an Associate Attorney at Tatlow, Gump, Faiella and Wheelan, LLC, attended the Missouri Association of Trial Attorney's Convention at Lake of the Ozarks on June 24-27, 2010. The purpose of the convention is to allow trial attorneys from across the state to meet in order to exchange ideas, learn about the most recent changes in the law and learn about new technology that could assist in the management, settlement and trial of their cases. Lawyers must constantly keep up-to-date on the most recent court decisions, legislation and court rules in order to be effective at obtaining a favorable result for their clients. Conventions such as these help attorneys manage the continuously changing law. Ms. Carpenter attended sessions in which she was able to learn new litigation strategies, deposition tactics, successful methods for question key witnesses, presentation of evidence and maintenance of professional and ethical behavior in difficult circumstances.