MFSP Cab, Inc. - SAN DIEGO, CA - September 2020 - Early Claims Settlement

Retained within 48-hours of a collision involving the insured’s taxi cab which had struck a bicyclist at the intersection of Hawthorn Street and Pacific Highway in downtown San Diego our investigator was able to obtain CCTV video footage from a nearby business and the insured vehicle depicting the collision sequence; canvas the scene for additional witnesses; interview the insured driver; and most importantly contact and obtain a recorded statement from the bicyclist. All evidence gathered provided a clear understanding of liability and our investigators interaction with the claimant led to contact with the handling adjuster, facilitating the early settlement of this injury collision avoiding litigation. All of this activity occurred during the COVID-19 shutdowns.

Bauer’s Intelligent Transportation, Inc. - SAN FRANCISCO, CA - March 2020 - Early Claims Settlement

Retained within 48-hours of a collision involving the insured’s motor coach which had struck a bicyclist near the intersection of 8th Street and Howard Street in downtown San Francisco our investigator was able to obtain CCTV video footage from multiple nearby businesses depicting the collision sequence; contact and interview the investigating officer; obtain CCTV footage from the motor coach and most importantly make contact with and interview the bicyclist who had been transported by ambulance immediately post-collision. With liability clear, our investigator was able to gain the confidence of the claimant who immediately contacted the handling adjuster which facilitated the early settlement of this collision. All of this activity occurred during the COVID-19 shutdowns.

Ambriz v Ford Motor Co. - RIVERSIDE, CA - February 2020 - Defense Verdict

Retained a month prior to trial to assist with the defense of this Song-Beverly Act case alleging a defective DPS6 automatic transmission was installed in a 2014 Ford Focus purchased by plaintiff in 2014. We were assigned to complete a comprehensive chain of custody of the product and interview all post-incident owners; locate and interview all dealer employees identified on sales and repair orders during plaintiff’s ownership; and to provide trial support services involving delivery and management of demonstrative evidence. As a result of our efforts, defense counsel was provided a comprehensive view of the vehicles ownership and operational history which assisted in receiving a unanimous defense verdict from the jury.

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. - SAN DIEGO, CA - February 2020 - Early Claims Settlement

Retained within an hour of a major traffic collision involving our clients loaded, tractor/trailer combination which collided into the rear of a small commercial van causing a chain reaction, major injury traffic collision on Interstate 15 in San Diego, California. Our investigator arrived on-scene within three hours of the collisions occurrence; completed a collision scene inspection; contacted investigating CHP personnel and ascertained the severity of the collision; located the primary claimant and obtained an informal interview. The rapport developed with the claimant allowed counsel to successfully obtain a settlement and release of all claims within seven days of the subject collision with all five potential claimants, thereby avoiding any litigation arising from the subject collision.

Massoud v Tesla Motors, Inc. - LOS ANGELES, CA - September 2019 - Case Dismissed

Single vehicle, ran off roadway impact with a tree, minor injury collision filed by a high profile, well known actor who alleged the right front tire/wheel assembly fell off the vehicle the day after he purchased the vehicle which caused him to loose control of the car and collide with the tree. Retained shortly after the initial claim our experts completed a comprehensive collision scene inspection documenting several items of physical evidence remaining on-scene which confirmed, with scientific certainty, the right front wheel assembly separated post-impact with the tree. This information was corroborated through multiple witnesses statements. When presented with the preliminary investigation and defense experts findings, plaintiff dismissed the case with no monetary demand and waiver of costs.

Plunkett v Fox Head, Inc., - IMPERIAL, CA - September 2019 - Case Dismissed

Mr. Plunkett died tragically competing in an AMA sanctioned off-road vehicle race when he struck an object on the desert surface causing him to be propelled over his ATV’s handlebars and to impact the ground headfirst. Plaintiff sued Fox in California state court for wrongful death as the manufacturer of the helmet Mr. Plunkett was wearing during the crash claiming Fox’s helmet was defective because it did not prevent Mr. Plunkett’s injuries. Quaere, Inc., experts were retained to thoroughly investigate the collision and as result of our efforts, Fox was able to remove the case to federal court under the federal enclave doctrine and moved for summary judgment based on Plaintiff having failed to meet her burden to establish a manufacturing or design defect in the helmet or that Mr. Plunkett’s injuries were attributable to any such defect under applicable law. When plaintiff’s opposition to the motion came due, and despite a prior seven figure settlement demand, Plaintiff agreed to a stipulated dismissal of the action with prejudice for no money and a waiver of Fox’s defense costs.

Linares v Crown Equipment Corporation - RIVERSIDE, CA - 2018 - Defense Verdict

Retained by defense trial counsel after opening arguments, Quaere, Inc., investigative experts responded within hours of engagement to conduct a covert surveillance operation to document plaintiff’s range of motion; activities and limitations. Our surveillance experts captured videotape footage of plaintiff entering and exiting the courthouse with an extremely limited range of motion and a pronounced limp, allegedly caused by an accident involving defendants lift truck. Within minutes of being outside the presence of jurors, our surveillance experts captured videotape footage of plaintiff walking normally and exhibiting a full range of motion. In fact, our footage documented plaintiff lifting and carrying a 50 pound bag of dog food repeatedly. The footage was introduced during the defendant’s case and significantly swayed the jury. After 45 minutes of deliberation the jury unanimously returned a defense verdict.

Anderson v Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. - LOS ANGELES, CA - 2018 - Settled

Plaintiff, a rear seated passenger in the product vehicle being driven at a high rate of speed on the wrong side of a city street leading to a violent rollover collision alleged her paraplegic injuries were the result of a defective seat belt system and excessive roof crush. Retained after another investigative firm was unable to successfully conduct interviews in the south Los Angeles collision neighborhood, Quaere investigators located multiple collision eyewitness and post-collision witnesses not identified in official reports. Two of these witnesses provided direct testimony plaintiff was unrestrained at the time of the collision dramatically reducing plaintiff counsel’s demand ultimately leading to a favorable settlement for our client.

Flores v Hyundai Motor America - RIVERSIDE, CA - 2018 - Case Dismissed

Plaintiff, the guardian ad-litem to two minor children alleged the death of their mother was due to post-collision fuel fed fire in the product Santa Fe. Quaere investigators located multiple witnesses, four of whom were not identified in official reports one of whom was an eyewitness to the entire collision sequence. This witness confirmed the post-collision fire actually ignited from dry brush on the pavement under the vehicle coming in contact with hot surfaces of the overturned vehicles engine. Our investigators also tracked the product vehicles chain of custody from the date of the collision and confirmed plaintiff’s counsel made no attempts to preserve the product post-collision allowing the vehicle to sit in a tow yard for over a year before the vehicle was scraped.

Walker v Porsche Cars North America - VALENCIA, CA - 2017 - Case Settled

Retained within hours of this high profile collisions occurrence Quaere, Inc., experts completed all litigation investigation including obtaining post-collision witness testimony directly contradicting plaintiff’s expert defect theory. Completed extensive background investigation on net worth of plaintiff’s and multiple other areas of high profile investigation which assisted our clients excess insurance carrier in deciding to settle the litigation short of trial.

Gilstrap v Riddell - STANISLAUS, CA - 2017 - Settled

Plaintiff alleged he sustained a serious traumatic brain injury during his participation in an alumni football game. Quaere investigators located multiple witnesses who observed plaintiff’s actions post-incident which directly contradicted his claimed injuries and limitations. Our social media investigative specialists located, preserved and produced multiple photographs and video clips of plaintiff engaging in “bloodless” bull fighting post-incident which led to our surveillance professionals attending multiple “bloodless” bull fighting events and gathering footage of plaintiff’s active role in the bullfighting ring. The evidence was presented during a mediation and the case settled for significantly less than anticipated.

Foss v Bell Sports - SPANAWAY, WA - 2017 - Settled

Plaintiff alleged she sustained a serious closed head traumatic brain injury as a result of this two vehicle collision where a driver turned left in front of plaintiff who was operating a motorcycle causing her to be ejected from the cycle and during the collision sequence plaintiff’s helmet came off of her head. Quaere investigators located seven collision witnesses, four of whom were not identified in any official reports. Two of the witnesses were the first to arrive at plaintiff’s side post-collision and both confirmed the chin strap of plaintiff’s helmet was wedged inside the crown of the helmet immediately post-collision, indicating plaintiff was riding with the helmet unstrapped at the time of the collision.

Acuna v Riddell, Inc., POMONA, CA - 2014 - Defense Verdict

The case of Edward Acuna v. Riddell, Inc. arose out of an accident that happened during a football game in Pomona, California in 2009. Mr. Acuna was wearing the Riddell Revolution helmet – an advanced, state-of-the-art football helmet widely used by high school, NCAA, and NFL players nationwide.  Attempting to tackle the ball carrier during a play, Mr. Acuna suffered a rotational blow to his head, which led to a subdural hematoma and brain damage. Quaere experts were retained early in the litigation to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the subject game; plaintiff’s football experience and training; the emergency response to incident and plaintiff’s counsel’s allegations leveled post-incident during the litigation. Quaere handled all investigative assignments and coordinated deposition and trial appearances by several witnesses with whom our experts had developed a good rapport ensuring live witness testimony at trial from witnesses who had moved to locations across the nation. At trial, plaintiff counsel argued for the jury to award plaintiff $37.5 million in damages; however, after less than an hour of deliberations the jury returned a unanimous defense verdict.

Hotchkiss v San Francisco Community College District - SAN FRANCISCO, CA - 2014 - Case Dismissed

Plaintiff alleged his employment was terminated in retaliation for his actions as a “whistleblower”. Quaere investigators were retained to conduct a comprehensive background investigation of plaintiff’s prior employment, education and military service. Our investigators gathered evidence from literally around the world because plaintiff’s education spanned the United States, Germany and the Philippines. We proved plaintiff’s claimed degree from a Philippine’s University was fraudulent while all other degrees on his resume were overstated or non-existent. Further, plaintiff’s claimed duty assignments over a 20 year military career were likewise overstated or fraudulent.

Gonzalez v United Parcel Service - LOS ANGELES, CA - 2013 - Settled Prior to Trial

Retained 15-days prior to trial to provide surveillance of a plaintiff without a confirmed address, Quaere deployed remotely monitored passive surveillance assets to identify the current residence of plaintiff. During routine intelligence gathering in support of the surveillance operation, our experts obtained evidence of multiple prior drug related arrests of plaintiff without any charges being filed. Further investigation confirmed plaintiff was a law enforcement informant who was working with law enforcement on the dates he allegedly missed work to visit his doctor.

Ortiz v Arctic Cat - RIVERSIDE, CA - 2012 - Defense Verdict

Quaere experts were retained nearly one and a half years after an off-road rollover collision paralyzed plaintiff who ultimately died prior to trial. The collision witnesses had been interviewed by investigators representing a co-defendant; however, Quaere experts were the only investigators to ever meet with the witnesses in person, allowing them to review the police report and investigative photographs. Based on these interviews, Quaere experts were the only investigators to identify a large depression on the road surface at the time of the subject collision created by water run-off which immediately changed the course of this litigation.

Bebawy v Honda - POMONA, CA - 2010 - Case Dismissed

Retained 54 days before trial, Quaere experts changed the course of this litigation within 48-hours or retention. We provided the client with evidence of plaintiff’s extensive litigation history, previously unknown to counsel and denied by plaintiff during a deposition. We also located, interviewed and obtained sworn statements from two collision eyewitnesses confirming plaintiff was not operating a Honda vehicle at the time of the subject collision.

Jones v American Honda Motor Company, Inc., - LOS ANGELES, CA - 2009 - Defense Verdict

Plaintiff lost control of his vehicle, ran off the roadway and overturned suffering a serious spinal injury resulting in quadriplegia. Quaere was retained early in the litigation to handle all investigative assignments during the course of the litigation. Our experts maintained contact with multiple witnesses and ensured their appearance at trial including several Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel who had transferred or retired, all of whom provided critical testimony to jurors regarding plaintiff’s seating position immediately post-collision.

Keddington v Michelin - PROVO, UT - 2008 - Minimal Jury Verdict

Initially assigned to complete the comprehensive investigation of this alleged closed head traumatic brain injury case, the client chose to retain local investigators who remained on the case until two days into trial when trial counsel re-hired Quaere, Inc. Within 72-hours, our experts uncovered and obtained evidence plaintiff had sustained a prior serious closed head injury, including color photographs taken by local law enforcement depicting tire tracks across plaintiff’s face inflicted by plaintiff’s former spouse during an incident of domestic violence.

Watts v Ford - SACRAMENTO, CA - 2003 - Defense Verdict

Retained the day jury selection began our personnel arrived in Sacramento within seven hours of retention. Within 48-hours we had located and informally interviewed three previously unfound witnesses including the two, now retired, investigating officers who provided crucial unknown information about the collision sequence which fundamentally changed the course of the litigation. Our experts were then tasked with locating and inspecting (with full photographic documentation) as many substantially similar restraint systems and within 36-hours we had completed twenty-two inspections which were later relied upon by defense experts during trial testimony.