The Firm
Based in California, the Milanfar Law Firm boasts a diverse practice representing both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide spectrum of personal injury lawsuits. Renowned for their innovative trial techniques and armed with meticulous research to anticipate juror reactions and opposing counsel tactics, the firm's founding attorney, Shahrad Milanfar, and his dedicated team achieved a significant verdict in a case involving elder abuse and negligence.
The Case
The firm's client, an 88-year-old woman with dementia, profound hearing loss, and a high fall risk, suffered abuse and neglect while under the care of a California residential facility. This included a series of falls, injuries, and traumatic transports between facilities during a wildfire evacuation. Attorney Milanfar led the case, contending that the facility's staff's negligence significantly deteriorated his client's health, curtailing her ability to enjoy her family and life before her passing a few years later.
The Challenge
As the trial approached, Mr. Milanfar knew he needed top-tier experts specializing in elder care facilities and medical care standards. These experts were crucial in establishing the failures of the facility's staff, evaluating their natural disaster plans, and critiquing their medical decisions. Furthermore, these experts needed to withstand anticipated intense attacks from the defense.
The Solution
The experts that Expert Institute sourced for the Milanfar legal team proved to be instrumental in their win for the client.
Nursing Home Administrator Goes Above and Beyond
Expert Institute introduced Shahrad to Luella Burgos, a Certified Director of Nursing Home Administration in Long-Term Care. After engaging her as an expert, Mr. Milanfar lauded her exceptional job in identifying critical issues for the legal team.
“Nurse Burgos was a super conscientious expert – she truly goes above and beyond in her work.”
– Shahrad Milanfar, Founding Attorney
Expert Doctor Passionately Stands Up For Elders
Mr. Milanfar's satisfaction with the work of Dr. Scott Bullock, an expert-sourced by Expert Institute for a previous case, prompted him to enlist Dr. Bullock once more. Mr. Milanfar values working with Dr. Bullock because he tells him the unvarnished truth -- keeping him from getting blindsided by inconvenient facts.
“Dr. Bullock is a remarkable human being and a passionate advocate for elders.”
- Shahrad Milanfar, Founding Attorney
The Result
As anticipated, the defense vigorously challenged Mr. Milanfar's experts. They contended that Ms. Burgos' experience in skilled nursing facilities did not qualify her as an expert on residential care. Nevertheless, Burgos' impeccable credentials and extensive experience stood strong under scrutiny, and the judge permitted her testimony.
Dr. Bullock also survived a qualification attack. Defense counsel argued that the judge should disqualify Dr. Bullock as an expert because he hadn’t worked in a California residential facility. Mr. Milanfar skillfully turned this sword back on the defense, pointing out that the defendant's own Executive Director had no prior California facility experience before she started running the defendant's facility. Once again, the judge rejected the defense’s challenge and allowed Dr. Bullock to testify.
In the end, the experts Expert Institute paired with Mr. Milanfar’s firm both survived attacks from the defense and went on to contribute to the success of the case.
Conclusion
No lawyer wants his experts thrown out by a court during a trial. Shahran Milanfar’s success in overcoming the defense’s challenges to his experts, in this case, demonstrates the value of Expert Institutes’ diligence and research in sourcing highly qualified expert witnesses for law firms.
