Arias Sanguinetti partners Elise Sanguinetti and Jamie Goldstein were recognized by the Daily Journal for securing one of the Top Verdicts of 2024. Their successful representation of Angel Aguirre in a workplace injury case against AEG Management Oakland, LLC and Tommy Harman resulted in an $8.29 million jury award, another remarkable personal injury result for the Arias Sanguinetti Bay Area team.
Aguirre, a stagehand working at the Rolling Loud Festival in Oakland, suffered catastrophic injuries when his right hand was crushed by a moving forklift operated by another stagehand. The accident resulted in severe nerve and tendon damage, crush injuries, and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a debilitating chronic pain condition that severely impacted his ability to work.
The recognition from the Daily Journal highlights the significance of this case not only for Aguirre but also for workplace safety and liability law. Sanguinetti and Goldstein successfully overcame defense attempts to shift blame onto Aguirre, proving that the forklift operator was primarily responsible for ensuring safety within their perimeter.
Aguirre’s case also shed light on the challenges of proving CRPS in court, as it lacks visible diagnostic markers. Goldstein emphasized the importance of ensuring the jury understood both the medical and financial toll on Aguirre, who could no longer continue his career in stage production.
“Part of the case was expressing that this is a lifelong condition that affects not only his daily life but his ability to work,” Goldstein explained. “The jury recognized that impact and awarded significant compensation for his future wage loss.”
By securing one of the Top Verdicts of 2024, Arias Sanguinetti continues to solidify its reputation as a leader in personal injury litigation. This case is a powerful reminder that negligence in workplace safety will not go unchallenged and that injured workers deserve justice.
