Volume 2, Issue 9                    The Traut Firm eNewsletter              November 2006            www.trautfirm.com

Tragic Bus Crash Nets 5 Million For Victims

In July 2005, Gabriel Mariscal, his wife Tamara, their 3 year old daughter, Mercedes, and a family friend were on the 5 freeway returning from a perfect day at Sea World when tragedy struck in the form of a Mundo Express Bus returning to Los Angeles from Tijuana. The bus rear-ended the Marsical car and injured the four occupants, most seriously Mercedes. Despite being in a car seat, the impact was so explosive she was rendered a quadraplegic and now has use of only one arm.

The insurance company for Mundo Express, Liberty Mutual, denied coverage alleging the particular bus involved in the collision was NOT listed on the policy. Meanwhile, with only limited medical insurance, Tamara was forced to quit her job and stay home to care for Mercedes. The family struggled to keep a roof over their heads while trying to recover from their own injuries and care for their daughter.

For nearly a year, Eric Traut litigated the case against the bus company. He was able to show that because bus companies are subject to the Public Utilities Commission Regulations regarding insurance, Liberty Mutual was responsible to provide coverage. Finally, in June 2006, Liberty Mutual agreed to pay the $5 million in insurance proceeds. A structured settlement through EPS Settlements Group of Santa Ana for Mercedes will provide her family with the monetary resources to provide the care she needs for the rest of her life. The settlement monies for her parents will allow them to purchase a home and care for their daughter without having to worry about rent payments and the threat of eviction.

1-877-Traut-Firm. Consultation is free. There is no fee unless and until you win your case.

The Traut Firm
"When You Mean Business"