Page 3 - NYLJ Top Rated Lawyers 2021

MORELLI LAW CONTINUES ITS SUCCESS WITH
LARGEST PAIN AND SUFFERING AWARD

AFFIRMED IN NEW YORK STATE HISTORY

enedict Morelli and his team continue their case handle at MGM’s National Harbor location in
impressive track record of results. In Decem- Maryland.
ber of 2019, the firm secured a $102M verdict
B for Mark Perez, a worker who was severely Currently, the firm is representing the estate of
injured after a forklift crashed into a Best Buy booth he famed New York City architect, Erica Tishman, who
was constructing at Live Nation’s Jones Beach theater. tragically died after a piece of building façade fell
After Morelli argued in front of the Appellate Division, from a midtown building and struck her on the head.
First Department, the court upheld $20 million in pain Mr. Morelli also filed suit on behalf of Annabel Sen,
and suffering, the largest affirmed award in the state’s a young woman who was struck by patio furniture
history. With lost wages, medical expenses, and post- that fell from a penthouse in New York City. She en-
judgement interest, the entire award came to over $50 dured severe brain injuries and has undergone mul-
million. tiple brain surgeries.

“This was a massive victory for our firm, Perez, and These types of high-profile, well-publicized cases are
all victims of catastrophic injuries due to negligence,” nothing new for the firm. Mr. Morelli negotiated a
said Morelli. “With its decision, the court created a confidential settlement with Walmart on behalf of
new benchmark for damages that is more reflective of Tracy Morgan after the comedian’s limousine was
the modern era.” struck by one of the company’s trucks in 2014. The
firm also helped negotiate the historic $265M settle-
In addition to Perez, Mr. Morelli and team have ment with Amtrak stemming from a 2015 train de-
racked up an impressive list of jury verdicts and railment outside Philadelphia that left eight dead and
settlements in a variety of civil cases. Since the more than 200 injured. As part of that process, the
firm’s founding, they have secured more than a firm was instrumental in helping convince Congress
billion dollars on behalf of their clients. to raise the $200 million cap on damages Amtrak
could pay.
Impressive firm results include a $95M jury verdict
in a sexual harassment case involving Aaron’s Inc., Morelli Law also represents more than a thou-
as well as a $62M verdict for a construction worker sand women in litigation against Johnson & John-
who fell from a roof and suffered a brain injury. One son, alleging that their use of the company’s talcum
critical reason for this success is that unlike many powder caused their ovarian cancer.
firms, Morelli Law has the experience, patience, and
resources to pursue cases for the long haul. Regardless of the case, Mr. Morelli and his team are
motivated by the opportunity to help those who have
“At my core, I’m a trial lawyer,” said Morelli. “Be- been disenfranchised or wronged achieve the justice
cause of our experience and accomplishments in the they deserve.
courtroom, adversaries know that we’re prepared to
pursue the best result possible. Going to trial does not “Corporations are powerful actors in our society and
intimidate us.” it takes significant will and resources to hold them
accountable,” remarked Morelli. “We are fortunate to
Mr. Morelli also secured a confidential settlement be in a position to empower individuals to take on
with MGM Grand on behalf of the family of a young companies when they have done wrong by them.”
girl who was electrocuted after touching a stair-