The Cooper Firm

Helm v. Smith Ironworks, Inc.

Daniel Helm was sent by his employer to build an office inside the manufacturing plant of Smith Ironworks, Inc. The plant manager at Smith Ironworks failed to tell Mr. Helm that there were exposed steel power cables near the ceiling of the plant. Those cables conducted 480 volts of electricity. After the office was partially complete, Mr. Helm was standing on top of the office and came in contact with the cables. He was electrocuted and died as a result. The firm uncovered evidence that, months prior to the incident, Smith Ironworks had solicited bids to replace the power cables with safer insulated cables. Shortly before trial, Smith Ironworks agreed to pay the Helm family $1.8 million.

Carroll v. Atlanta Fulton County Zoo

Beverly Carroll was seriously injured when she fell on a portion of uneven pavement at the Atlanta Fulton County Zoo. Through its investigation, the firm uncovered evidence that Zoo employees had seen the problem and considered it a trip hazard. Mrs. Carroll had $30,000 in medical expenses, and the firm was able to secure a settlement of $400,000.

Lee v. Walmart

Katoria Lee, on her way home from working the night shift at the Ford plant in Hapeville, stopped at the Riverdale Wal-Mart to purchase some items for the next day. She arrived at Wal-Mart at approximately 1:40 a.m. Ms. Lee went into the store leaving her 9 year old son asleep in the car. Upon her return, she was approached by a young man holding a gun. He said something unintelligible to her. She dropped her keys, purse and bag and began to run back toward the store. The perpetrator then shot her in the back. He picked up her keys and got into her car. Ms. Lee realized he was about to steal her car with her son inside. She ran to the car banging on the door to wake him. He woke, unlocked the door, she opened the door and pulled him out.

As a result of the shooting, Ms. Lee suffered serious and permanent injuries. After a week of trial in Clayton County, the jury found both Wal-Mart and the perpetrator guilty and ordered that they pay Ms. Lee $4,200,000.00 in damages. The Judge has ordered that the total judgment will include pre-judgment interest.

Gutkowski v. Hilton

In a brutal crime that made statewide headlines, Alice Gutkowski's husband, Ronald, was murdered by Timothy Dawson in his Hilton Hotel room in downtown Atlanta. The firm brought a claim on behalf of Mrs. Gutkowski against Hilton due to the inadequate security that allowed Mr. Dawson to go up the elevator and gain access to Mr. Gutkowski's room. Following substantial and aggressive litigation, Hilton agreed to pay Mrs. Gutkowski a significant confidential sum.

Yancey v. Good Ol' Days

Mr. Yancey was patron at the Gold Ol' Days restaurant in Sandy Springs. He was seated at a table with a female friend. Another customer walked over to Mr. Yancey, accused him of taking a beer and demanded that Mr. Yancey buy him a beer. The customer became verbally abusive. As a result of his behavior, Mr. Yancey attempted to get the attention of a waitress. The waitress and other Good Ol' Days employees chose not to respond to Mr. Yancey. Mr. Yancey then decided to go to the bar to get the customer a beer when the customer struck Mr. Yancey in the face with a pool cue. Mr. Yancey suffered severe injuries to his face and mouth as a result of the incident. After the Georgia Court of Appeals issued a decision in favor of Mr. Yancey, the parties settled for confidential amount.