An accident can strike at any moment, and the injury and property damage it causes chooses no one. As the victim, you are entitled to compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Aside from reclaiming your life after an accident through this compensation, justice should be served because it’s not always about the money. Need more proof? Here are some famous and wealthy people who were involved in personal injury cases.
1. Gloria Estefan and her tour bus accident. – Gloria Estefan is a Cuban-American singer and songwriter. She rose to worldwide stardom after the release of her band’s 1985 single Conga. The 1988 song Anything For You brought her, and her group their first number-one hit song.
By U.S. State Department [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
It was the year 1990 when accident struck the talented singer. Gloria was on tour for her first solo album Cut Both Ways when a semi-truck crashed into her tour bus during a snowstorm near Scranton, Pennsylvania. She suffered from a fractured spine which required the implantation of two titanium rods to stabilize her vertebral column. She also had to go through almost a year of physical therapy before she could fully recover and go back on the road to perform. Gloria filed a personal injury lawsuit against the tractor-trailer company who was found liable for the accident. Damages were awarded to the tune of $8.95 million.
2. Bret Michaels vs. CBS. – Bret Michaels gained fame as the lead vocalist of the glam metal band Poison. With over 40 million records sold worldwide and 15 million in the United States alone, Bret Michaels has become one of the most successful rockers from the 1980s. Aside from his music career, he has also appeared in several TV shows including VH1’s reality documentary Rock of Love with Bret Michaels.
Eva Rinaldi, via Wikimedia Commons
In the 2009 Tony Award broadcast, Bret performed with Poison as the opening number for the award show. As he was leaving the stage, a large portion of the descending set struck him on his head and knocked him out. Initial reports said that he suffered from a broken nose and lacerated lips but after a few months, it was discovered that he is suffering from a brain hemorrhage which he believes is caused by the incident. Bret sued CBS stating that he was not adequately instructed on how he’s supposed to exit the stage, causing him to get hit by the set piece. Bret settled with CBS in 2012 for an undisclosed amount.
3. Erin Brockovich and the people of Hinkley. – Although she did not start out as a famous person, the 2000 movie starring Julia Roberts based on her story put Erin Brockovich on the map. After the movie’s release, Erin has become a media personality hosting several TV shows and has become a consultant specializing in personal injury claims for asbestos exposure.
By Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, via Wikimedia Commons
It was the year 1993 and Erin was working as a legal clerk for Edward L. Masry when she discovered that Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) was knowingly allowing chromium-tainted wastewater into Hinkley, California’s groundwater. Erin started investigating the elevated cluster of illnesses in the community which was then linked to the chromium in the water; this led to a lawsuit being filed against PG&E which was settled in 1996 for $333 million.
4. Dr. Phil and his dog. – Phillip Calvin McGraw, better known as Dr. Phil, is a TV personality, author, and psychologist. He rose to fame after being featured in the Oprah Winfrey Show and starting his show Dr. Phil.
By Jerry Avenaim, from Wikimedia Commons
So far our list has included people who have filed personal injury cases, but Dr. Phil stands on the other end of the spectrum. He is being sued by a former friend who claims to have lost her hearing due to infection because Dr. Phil’s dog mauled her in December 2009. Robin, Dr. Phil’s wife, has volunteered to take the victim, Janet Harris, to the hospital; however, Dr. Phil stopped her, stating that it would cause unnecessary bad press. A physician then prescribed Janet antibiotics through a friend of hers. The medicine induced hearing loss. As of now, there has been no update on the trial or settlement.
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