Frank was seriously injured by a motor vehicle operator who was under the influence of heroine. The at-fault operator had no assets except the car she owned, which was totaled.
The liability carrier offered the minimum policy limit. The Haymond Law Firm found this unacceptable. Attorney Sudnick at The Haymond Law Firm did not stop at the coverage. As a former special prosecutor she immediately recognized a unique opportunity to recover additional damages. Attorney Sudnick met with the prosecutor and managed to obtain additional money damages in the criminal case where Frank was the victim (in addition to the civil recovery).
Frank received a payment of $ 60,000 from family member of the at-fault driver even though they were not legally responsible. This is an example where the lawyers at The Haymond Law Firm use their unique talents and skill set to handle complex or unusual situations.
Unlike most personal injury attorneys who say we “we have no control over what happens in the criminal case,” Attorney Sudnick is different. Attorney Sudnick explains to her clients that as victims in a pending criminal case they have the right to ask for money not covered by insurance in the form of restitution. They have the right to object to any plea agreement suggested in the criminal case. They have the right to be heard by the presiding judge and read the victims impact statement before a judge rules on sentencing. Attorney Sudnick often files appearances for her clients in the criminal cases. Prosecutors in the vehicular homicide departments in CT and MA have come to know her as a resource to get quick, concise, and accurate victim information. Attorney Sudnick often gains access to criminal investigation information that is not typically shared with personal injury attorneys until the criminal cases end.
Not enough liability coverage freeze the assets!
Attorney Sudnick is known for having filed many successful prejudgment awards in several judicial districts throughout Connecticut. She says: “When the injuries are catastrophic, you want to know that you have left no stone unturned to give your injured client and their families options to go beyond the insurance coverage. These prejudgment awards are going to court early on in the case to get a judge’s order to freeze and attach the assets of the at-fault operator.” Her prejudgment awards granted early on in cases include a five million dollar prejudgment award Litchfield County. Many of the multimillion dollars pre-judgement awards that she has sought in Hartford, Tolland and Litchfield counties have resulted in actual recoveries for her clients of or more than a million dollars each.