Local law firm wins insurance claim for family of deceased victim

An accident happens. You are the victim, left injured and confused. The solution may

seem obvious—it’s time to look for a personal injury attorney. However not every case is clear cut, and only solid legal counsel can help turn a tragedy into a fight for justice and the victim’s due rights.

The family of Arlem Santos knows this all too well.

On June 15, 2005, a motorist took a left turn in front of Arlem’s car, causing an accident that left him injured. He sought legal counsel with Danbury personal injury law firm, Ventura Ribeiro and Smith.

The case began to progress normally within the court system. However, two years after the accident, in a tragic turn of events, Arlem passed away at age 33, victim of another motor vehicle accident—this time in his country of origin—Brazil.

At the trial, knowing that Arlem was deceased, the motorist that hit his car took the position that the incident was not her fault. “This was a left turn accident, the evidence was clear that she took a left turn. The defendant talked to the police officer at the scene and at the hospital, and she changed the story throughout the course of this case”, said Attorney Patricia Cruz, of Ventura Ribeiro and Smith (VRS), who was been retained by Mr. Santos’ fami-ly in Brazil to continue to fight for the case. According to Cruz, the defendant’s insurance company, decided to make no offers in this case, despite the fact that the police report confirmed Mr. Santos’ version of the accident.

Cruz contacted the investigating police officer¬ who had since retired and moved to Myrtle Beach, NC to testify. “Officer Clark testified that the evidence at the scene the day of the accident suggested that the defendant took an improper left turn in front of the plaintiff, Mr. Santos,” she said.

Attorney Agostinho J. Ribeiro, a partner at VRS, stated that both the liable party and the insurance company tried to take “zero responsibility” and pay nothing to the wife and three children of the of Arlem because they knew he would not be there to tell his side of the story. “It seems unfair that this family, or anyone, has to endure a trial because of today’s insurance defense strategies. Insurance companies are forcing people with good claims to bring their cases to court just to get reasonable compensation for medical bills, lost wages and injuries,” said Ribeiro.

The Santos widow, Andréia dos Santos and Arlem’s three boys Joarlin, Alex Henrique and Breno Batista, who all live in Brazil, were awarded $20,793.50 for pain and suffering in addition to the payment of the outstanding medical bills related to the accident. “The family knew the case would be difficult but they were satisfied that the judicial system allowed them the opportunity to vindicate Mr. Santos,” said Attorney Cruz.

“It is so important to get an advice of an attorney to be on your side to fight for you. You never know when the insurance company is going to take advantage of you or manipulate anything to get what they want,” she warned.