Tyrone M., was a construction superintendent on a major project in downtown Philadelphia. Because the project was so large, it created a shortage of parking space in the downtown area. Therefore, Mr. M. rode a motorcycle to work each day, making it easier for him to find a parking space.

One morning, on his way to work, a truck owned by a local public utility and driven by an employee of the utility, turned left into Mr. M.’s motorcycle. Mr. M. was struck on the left leg and suffered a severe fracture of his leg and hip. He had to spend many months with a brace attached to his leg by means of pins, which were screwed into the bones of his leg. As a result, his leg became infected with osteomyolitus, keeping him out of work for over a year.

Because Mr. M. was riding a motorcycle, the utility company refused to make any offer but a ridiculously low one. Therefore, we filed suit - even though the case had to be tried in a county which was notoriously conservative.

Our trial lawyers, however, were aware of this problem. They knew that the key to a fair verdict was an impartial jury. Therefore, when the jury was being picked, they requested that the judge ask all jurors if they had any prejudice against people who rode motorcycles. Immediately, a little old lady held up her hand and told the judge that, "I think that anyone who rides a motorcycle deserves what he gets,". At least twenty other prospective jurors agreed with the little old lady. Of course, they were all excused and a new, non-biased jury was selected.

When the lawyers for the utility company saw that the Rizio & Hamilton counselors were experienced and clever enough to make sure that their client was going to get a fair jury, they settled for $850,000.00...over twenty times their original offer.

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