Our Team Approach to Your Case
Mesothelioma Cases Are Unique
There are many unique and critical aspects of a mesothelioma case. From the initial investigation as to where you were exposed to asbestos to understanding the multifaceted medical issues related to the diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma to the preparation of the case for trial, an experienced and diverse team is needed. For over 30 years, Galiher DeRobertis Ono has successfully represented families suffering from mesothelioma and has the team that can successfully handle these complex cases.
Our Team Has Decades of Experience
The lawyers and paralegals at our firm have worked together on literally thousands of asbestos cases. We will bring decades of experience to help you and your family. Gary Galiher brought one of the first mesothelioma cases in the country and was among the first lawyers to investigate and develop the case against the asbestos companies.
Each member of the firm has developed a unique understanding of the medical and legal issues surrounding mesothelioma. As a result, we have extensive resources and experience related to all issues involved in these cases, including asbestos products, job sites, industry knowledge, asbestos hazards, and mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment, to name just a few. Our team approach will lead to the most favorable outcome of your case.
Our Trial Team
Gary Galiher has tried over 50 jury trials to verdict in asbestos litigation. His two most recent verdicts were awards of $5.3 million and $9.8 million to our clients. While every case is unique and the outcome depends on the specific facts, Gary and his team know how to investigate and develop mesothelioma cases to ensure that they obtain the maximum recovery for their clients. The fact that the defendants know that Gary and his team are prepared to walk into the courtroom leads to the most favorable settlements for Gary’s clients.
Jeff Ono and Todd Eddins bring years of litigation experience to the Galiher team. For over 15 years, Jeff Ono has worked directly with our experts to ensure the success of our clients’ cases. Todd Eddins has years of courtroom experience having tried many cases before juries.
Both Jeff and Todd work with our medical experts that include pulmonologists, pathologists, surgeons and oncologists. They also work with industrial hygienists, marine experts, economists, life care planners, and other experts who play a critical role in the development of our clients’ cases. They travel throughout the country meeting with our clients and these expert witnesses. Their analysis of the legal and medical issues in each case is essential to building our winning strategies.
Our Team on Appeal
After obtaining verdicts for his clients at trial, the defendants have many times appealed these cases. Our lawyers understand the legal issues and have successfully argued appeals before Appellate Courts. We have won ever significant legal issue on appeal for our clients. Rick DeRobertis has been part of the Galiher Team for over 25 years. He is our resident legal scholar responsible for analyzing, wring, and arguing motions and appeals. Throughout his 25 years of practice in the asbestos area, Rick has successfully briefed all of our cases that have been appealed and has won every significant legal issue.
Our Team Understands Your Emotional and Financial Stress
We understand that this is a very stressful time for you and your family as you deal with this diagnosis and treatment. We are there to support you at every level. Diane Ono has over 25 years experience in asbestos litigation. She is the key liaison with our clients from the initial intake to the courtroom. She has a unique ability to forge strong relationships with our clients to help them through this difficult time. As one client said:
“Diane was there to support me throughout the entire ordeal that my husband and I went through. I will forever grateful to her for her genuine concern and support.”
Debbie K.
Insightful Legal Analysis and Dedication to Our Clients
Other attorneys in our office bring insightful legal analysis and hard work to ensure the success of our cases. Ilana Waxman was the valedictorian of her law school and has recently developed a cutting edge legal analysis of one of the most important legal issues in the asbestos litigation which she presented at a National Asbestos Conference. Scott Saiki brings both his legal background and legislative experience to bear on his work
The two newest members of our team bring dedication and compassion. Brian Mackintoch is a recent law school graduate adding further depth to our team. Clarisse Kobashigawa, who previously interned with the firm, has returned with her law degree. She tries to “imagine herself in our clients’ shoes.” She brings both hard work and empathy to our cases.
Our Unique Medical Team
Our Team has a unique understanding of the complex medical issues related to the diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma. Over the past 30 years, we have worked with leading doctors around the country who specialize in mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases. We have read and compiled an extensive library of medical texts, articles, journals, and books concerning mesothelioma – from its causes to diagnostic techniques to treatment protocols and clinical trials. Attending conferences around the country keeps us abreast of the latest medical advances, and the most prominent doctors and researchers in the field.
Cynthia Davis is a registered nurse with more than 25 years of experience at the Galiher law firm evaluating the medical/legal issues in mesothelioma cases. There is no medical paralegal in the country with Cynthia’s depth of knowledge and experience. She plays a key role in assessing the medical evidence in our cases and in working with the medical experts whose opinions and testimony are an integral part of your case.
Our Database of Job Sites and Asbestos Products
The clients we have represented over the years were exposed to asbestos at hundreds of difference job sites around the country. We know the types of asbestos products used at various job sites, and we understand how people were exposed to asbestos. Our unique database helps us work with you to identify the companies at fault in your case. We know a great deal about the asbestos content of thousands of products and how this asbestos was released. Our database includes photographs, trade magazines, product advertisements, product brochures, specifications, samples, and videotapes related to the use of asbestos products. As we prepare your case, we will also work with industrial hygienists who will explain how the asbestos dust became airborne and how you inhaled it.
James Shiroma has more than 17 years of paralegal experience in asbestos cases. He was educated as a geologist at Princeton University and has a Master’s Degree from the University of Colorado. He brings a unique perspective and understanding of asbestos and its properties. He is a brilliant researcher who locates and investigates unique private and public sources of documents that support our clients’ cases.
Our Archive of Navy Records
Hundreds of our clients were exposed to asbestos on Navy ships and submarines. In representing these veterans and shipyard workers, we have researched hundreds of vessels to identify the specific asbestos products used in the construction, overhaul, maintenance, and repair of each of our clients’ ships. We research and collect documents from the National Archives, the Washington Navy Yard Library, regional archives, and in the private collections of Navy veterans. As a result, we have our own unique library of historical ship-related documents showing the use of asbestos on Navy ships. We are proud to have this valuable resource at our disposal to effectively represent Navy veterans and shipyard workers in asbestos cases.
Our Collection of Company Documents
We also have hundreds of thousands of documents related to the conduct of the asbestos manufacturers, and their failure to warn workers and others about the hazards of asbestos. As asbestos litigation was beginning in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Gary Galiher was one of the first lawyers to take the depositions of asbestos company witnesses. He traveled around the country to uncover what these companies knew about the dangers of asbestos. Gary felt that the conduct of the manufacturers in concealing the hazards of asbestos was criminal, and he resolved to continue pursuing these cases on behalf of people who were harmed. As a result of Gary’s 30 years of hard work, our firm now has one of the largest collections of company documents.
We Thoroughly Prepare Each Case to Maximize Your Recovery
We are able to obtain the best results for you because we thoroughly prepare our cases and we have a proven track record. Our opponents know that our firm has taken over 50 cases to verdict and has obtained multimillion dollar recoveries. Because of this, we are able to obtain the maximum compensation for our clients.
We Handle Your Case Individually and Are Always Available to You
We handle all of our cases individually and give our clients our personal attention. An attorney will meet with you as soon as possible to learn about your circumstances and answer your questions. Our team will begin working on your case immediately and aggressively to obtain the best result for you. We are always available to respond to your questions and concerns. We listen to our clients.
