Casualty/Liability Defense
Michelle Valencic, Partner
Clausen Miller P.C. attorneys offer extensive trial experience, having successfully defended numerous casualty claims in state and federal court across the country on behalf of all types of professionals and corporations. While many label themselves as litigation firms, Clausen Miller is truly a world class trial firm.
While Clausen Miller prides itself on its trial experience and expertise, our attorneys are also skilled negotiators, having favorably resolved countless cases on behalf of clients before trial. Our vast trial experience allows CM attorneys to more accurately evaluate cases and advise our clients. If settlement is desired, our reputation among the plaintiff’s bar enables CM attorneys to earn better results at mediation and in negotiations.
While our attorneys generally handle cases from their inception, many clients turn to Clausen Miller’s casualty defense group to substitute as counsel at advanced stages of litigation in preparation for trial. Our attorneys are able to prepare any case for trial on short notice by drawing on our superior trial experience and resources. With US offices in Chicago, New York, California, and New Jersey, international offices and affiliates in Shanghai, London, Paris, and Rome, and local counsel contacts in nearly every major US city, CM attorneys are able to handle any case almost anywhere in the world at any stage in litigation. As a result, Clausen Miller attorneys have won numerous cases where prior counsel has advised our client to pay substantial amounts to settle.
We defend against virtually any suit for economic loss, personal injury or property damage at both the state and national levels. For the construction industry, we represent developers, owners, architects, general contractors, skilled trades, engineers and surveyors in personal injury claims, for extras, disputes over deficient work, trade defamation, breach of contract and fee disputes. Our major cases include the Hancock Scaffolding Accident, O'Hare Airport expansion, Chicago's Deep Tunnel project, Sears Tower, and United Center.
For corporations and insurers with environmental concerns, we have defended cases involving PCBs, nuclear materials, toxic wastes, benzene, mold, and leaking underground storage tanks. Further, we have defended some of the most notable class action suits in Illinois history including the Jewel salmonella actions and the Tylenol deaths.
In addition, we defend companies at all levels of the manufacturing and distribution chain in suits alleging product defects, and we represent doctors, accountants, attorneys, engineers, and other professionals against malpractice claims. For the transportation industry we defend personal injury and property damage liability claims.
Finally, when possible, we help clients seek solutions outside the courtroom, through alternative dispute resolution including arbitration, mediation, and mini-trials.
