Successes
Trief & Olk has a reputation for success in complex litigation and legal matters that require high-powered trial skills, expert research and sophisticated strategies. Read our case studies below.
Successes
Trief & Olk has a reputation for success in complex litigation and legal matters that require high-powered trial skills, expert research and sophisticated strategies. Read our case studies below.
Filters
Case
Type
Settlement
Amount
Case
Description
Class Action
$ 410 M
Settlement in multi-district litigation against Bank of America, recovering for customers charged improper overdraft fees. Financial Group.
Class Action
Defenders
$ 5 M
Settlement approved in October 2022 in a collective action with approximately 550 claimants against Defenders, Inc., alleging violations of the FLSA by failing to compensate the former alarm installation technicians for all hours worked, resulting in insufficient overtime payments.
Class Action
$ 8 M
Resolution of claims for approximately 2,500 servers and bartenders who were employed by Darden Restaurants, Inc. (whose chains included Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, and Seasons 52), alleging violations of the FLSA, specifically off-the-clock work, failure to pay minimum wage when employees were performing work such as set-up and cleaning tasks, and unpaid overtime.
Commercial
$ 13 M
$13 million trial verdict in favor of purchaser of warehouse that suffered collapse, where litigation involved questions of remediation and stabilization to prevent deterioration.
Life Insurance
$ 1.5 M
Successful appeal, recovering the full amount of policy (plus interest) from Metropolitan Life Insurance Company to defeat MetLife’s allegation that insured misrepresented her net worth when applying for the policy.
Life Insurance
$ 3 M
Victory at trial (affirmed by NY’s highest court) against William Penn Life Insurance Company, for wrongful denial in coverage based on insured’s alleged misrepresentations in the policy application, receiving the full $3 million of the policy value plus interest. See summary and memorandum here. View More
General Injury
$ 2.5 M
Settlement with NYC Transit for injury sustained when client was struck by subway.
Medical Malpractice
$ 2.6 M
Recovery for heart attack victim whose condition deteriorated due to improper monitoring.
Products Liability
$ 4 M
Settlement obtained on behalf of client whose hand was amputated by industrial meat grinder he was cleaning on behalf of cleaning service.
Workplace
$ 3.3 M
Settlement for construction worker struck by a falling light pole who suffered severe injuries including multiple fractures to the hips and pelvis as well as head trauma.
Class Action
Citizens Financial
$ 137.5 M
Settlement in litigation against Citizens Financial Group, recovering funds on behalf of millions of consumers who incurred excessive overdraft fees.
Commercial
Pintauro
CONFIDENTIAL
Succeeded in arbitration on behalf of retired attorney against his former law partners who attempted to deny him disability payments owed under the partnership agreement.
Life Insurance
Confidential
Confidential settlement of life insurance action filed in Southern District of New York against Wilton Reassurance Life Company of New York
Life Insurance
$ 1.2 M
Without having to file suit, obtaining full value of policy from Primerica when policy had been improperly terminated based on oral request despite policy’s requirement that termination requests be submitted in writing.
General Injury
$ 2 M
Judgment against Manhattan nightclub on behalf of patron stabbed during a fight with another customer.
Commercial
CONFIDENTIAL
Resolution of licensing agreement dispute on behalf of entrepreneur who had contracted with large corporation that backed out of commitment to manufacture and distribute client’s product.
Products Liability
$ 2.5 M
Recovery for family injured in car accident caused by tire separation, where success involved two appeals involving disputes as to the application of foreign law and requiring tire company to disclose information claimed to be trade secrets.
General Injury
$ 1.65 M
Recovery in structured settlement for passenger suffering multiple fractures of legs and shoulder in rental car accident, where there was dispute over identity of the driver and whether continued use of rental was authorized by the rental company.
Commercial
Hughes
CONFIDENTIAL
Settlement of wrongful termination dispute on behalf of CEO of publicly traded company.
Medical Malpractice
$ 500 K +
Jury verdict for patient who suffered permanent knee damage when physician ignored complaints of pain following knee surgery, resulting in delayed treatment causing infection that destroyed most of the patient’s cartilage.
General Injury
$ 1 M +
Settlement on behalf of rape victim against landlord of her apartment building based on failure to maintain proper security.
Life Insurance
$ 1 M
Without having to file suit, obtaining the full value of policy (plus interest) from Protective Life Insurance when policy lapse notice was not mailed within the requisite window mandated by New York insurance law.
Workplace
$ 2 M
Settlement for NYC public school custodian who fell from an A-frame ladder, resulting in lumbar injuries requiring a disc fusion surgery.
Commercial
$ 3 M
Collecting damages on behalf of the board and unit owners of condominium project against developers and contractors to recover damages resulting from structural defects in three buildings, where units had water leaks, lack of insulation, and brick deterioration.
Life Insurance
$ 675 K
Negotiating settlement at close to full value of policy, through discovery of information suggesting insurer had not sent grace period notice and may have represented to the insured that late payment was sufficient.
Commercial
Settlement after trial (for more than the last offer before trial) of appraisal dispute between principal shareholders of corporation owning the property, with trial including testimony from appraisers, architects, and city officials.
General Insurance
$ 320 K
Settlement of homeowner claim relating to flood caused by a burst pipe, where Allstate denied payment based on argument that damage resulted from owners not maintaining heat.
Workplace
$ 1 M+
Settlement for laborer injured at a municipal construction project in lower Manhattan when he fell while descending an improperly secured ladder, suffering from a skull fracture with bleeding in the brain resulting in mild cognitive impairments as well as herniations to his cervical and lumbar regions.
Life Insurance
Multiple Cases
Received full amount of death benefits owed for beneficiaries of insureds who had been incapacitated due to illness and therefore were unable to pay premium on time, after obtaining medical records to demonstrate the incapacity to the insurers.
Insurance Brokerage
Recovering payment from insurance broker’s errors and omissions carrier in suit on behalf of national beverage corporation alleging the insurance broker failed to obtain coverage for stolen goods despite client specifically requesting such coverage.
Employment
$ 200 K
Settlement in backpay plus attorney’s fees for 7 employees of a bakery/café in Queens, New York, for alleged failure to pay minimum wage and overtime, resolved shortly after the case was filed.
General Insurance
$ 250 K
Resolving claims for reimbursement on the disputed contents items, payment for loss of income, and the full amount of additional living expenses for owner of a bed and breakfast destroyed by a fire.
Products Liability
$ 1.5 M
Settlement for client suffering the loss of four fingers when his hand became trapped in rollers of a rubber mill machine lacking a standard safety device, which we were able to show was contrary to industry recommendations.
Class Action
$ 110 M
Settlement against JPMorgan Chase for obtaining fraudulent overdraft fees from consumers.
Medical Malpractice
Multi-million
Settlement for woman who suffered from septic shock and infections after transection of common bile duct during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Employment
$ 150 K
Settlement received shortly after case filed on behalf of employee of independently owned and operated supermarket, who had worked for over 100 hours per week for several years.
Products Liability
$ 1 M+
Settlement for employee whose right hand was amputated while operating a redesigned mixing machine, when the removed the safety device that would have prevented the accident.
General Insurance
Succeeding after appeal to New York’s highest court in action on behalf of wholesale jeweler whose insurer denied coverage for loss suffered when shipment of diamonds stolen by person claiming to be employed by diamond’s intended recipient.
Employment
$ 130 K
Back pay and attorneys' fees awarded after victory at bench trial on behalf of grocery store clerk paid no overtime and less than NY minimum wage.
Insurance Brokerage
$ 100 K
Securing verdict on behalf of a client who lost her business in a fire, with jury finding the insurance broker negligent in undervaluing the client’s property and failing to procure adequate insurance coverage.
Commercial
Shandell Blitz
Bookson v. Shandell, Blitz, Blitz & Ashley: represented firm in action brought by firm’s former partner regarding amounts due former partner under firm’s partnership agreement, obtaining court order enabling client to bring arbitration in desired forum and prevailing at arbitration through award limiting former partner’s recovery to amount firm claimed was owed.
Products Liability
Multi-million
Award for worker falling while washing windows due to a defective safety device whose spinal cord was damaged, rendering him unable to walk without assistance.
Commercial
Proving forgery of deed at jury trial to restore property to our client in dispute between client and his brother related to brother’s forgery by which he transferred the property to himself.
Medical Malpractice
Multi-million
Structured settlement negotiated after victory at trial for an infant who was diagnosed with Erb’s Palsy after the delivering obstetrician pulled on the infant’s head when the shoulder was stuck.
Insurance Brokerage
Defending insurance broker whose client attempted to blame broker for supposedly failing to obtain proper insurance coverage for cracks to antique vase, resolving claim without payment by our client
Workplace
$ 1 M+
Settlement for worker who fell from a scaffold when his tools came into contact with an electrical wire, causing herniated lumbar and cervical discs.
Class Action
$ 49 M
Settlement against wireless cell phone company related to its refusal to allow cancellation during the billing month after the contract period expired.
Products Liability
$ 1 M +
Settlement on behalf of grocery store owner who suffered extensive damage including the loss of his hand while using an Italian-made pasta machine that failed to shut off automatically as it had been designed to do. The Italian manufacturer had no United States offices or employees but we were able to sue the United States distributor.
Class Action
$ 9.7 M
Settlement in litigation against a large phone card company that deducted minutes from its phone cards at higher rates than what was expressly stated on the cards.
Commercial
Obtaining title through adverse possession claim to property that commercial business client had been using for many years despite property belonging to its neighbor.
Medical Malpractice
Multi-million
Settlement providing annuity for baby following vaginal delivery in which the physician failed to properly estimate the fetal weight and missed numerous other indications that the baby was too big to deliver without performing a caesarian section, leading to numerous medical complications, including Erb’s Palsy.
Commercial
Representation of commercial tenant in two disputes with landlord, obtaining order that landlord breached the terms of the lease and granting client “Yellowstone Injunction” barring landlord from evicting client and allowing client to cure default under lease (if any had occurred)
Class Action
$ 4 M
Settlement for class of approximately 3,400 class members in suit against Dispensing Dynamics International and staffing agencies whose employees worked at their California facility, alleging violations of California’s state laws regarding mandatory meal and rest breaks.
Filter
Apply Filters
Case
Type
Settlement
Amount
Case
Description
Class Action
$ 410 M
Settlement in multi-district litigation against Bank of America, recovering for customers charged improper overdraft fees. Financial Group.
Class Action
$ 5 M
Settlement approved in October 2022 in a collective action with approximately 550 claimants against Defenders, Inc., alleging violations of the FLSA by failing to compensate the former alarm installation technicians for all hours worked, resulting in insufficient overtime payments.
Class Action
$ 8 M
Resolution of claims for approximately 2,500 servers and bartenders who were employed by Darden Restaurants, Inc. (whose chains included Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, and Seasons 52), alleging violations of the FLSA, specifically off-the-clock work, failure to pay minimum wage when employees were performing work such as set-up and cleaning tasks, and unpaid overtime.
Commercial
$ 13 M
$13 million trial verdict in favor of purchaser of warehouse that suffered collapse, where litigation involved questions of remediation and stabilization to prevent deterioration.
Life Insurance
$ 1.5 M
Successful appeal, recovering the full amount of policy (plus interest) from Metropolitan Life Insurance Company to defeat MetLife’s allegation that insured misrepresented her net worth when applying for the policy.
Life Insurance
$ 3 M
Victory at trial (affirmed by NY’s highest court) against William Penn Life Insurance Company, for wrongful denial in coverage based on insured’s alleged misrepresentations in the policy application, receiving the full $3 million of the policy value plus interest. See summary and memorandum here. View More
General Injury
$ 2.5 M
Settlement with NYC Transit for injury sustained when client was struck by subway.
Medical Malpractice
$ 2.6 M
Recovery for heart attack victim whose condition deteriorated due to improper monitoring.
Products Liability
$ 4 M
Settlement obtained on behalf of client whose hand was amputated by industrial meat grinder he was cleaning on behalf of cleaning service.
Workplace
$ 3.3 M
Settlement for construction worker struck by a falling light pole who suffered severe injuries including multiple fractures to the hips and pelvis as well as head trauma.
Class Action
$ 137.5 M
Settlement in litigation against Citizens Financial Group, recovering funds on behalf of millions of consumers who incurred excessive overdraft fees.
Commercial
CONFIDENTIAL
Succeeded in arbitration on behalf of retired attorney against his former law partners who attempted to deny him disability payments owed under the partnership agreement.
Life Insurance
$ 1.2 M
Without having to file suit, obtaining full value of policy from Primerica when policy had been improperly terminated based on oral request despite policy’s requirement that termination requests be submitted in writing.
Life Insurance
Confidential
Confidential settlement of life insurance action filed in Southern District of New York against Wilton Reassurance Life Company of New York
General Injury
$ 2 M
Judgment against Manhattan nightclub on behalf of patron stabbed during a fight with another customer.
Commercial
CONFIDENTIAL
Resolution of licensing agreement dispute on behalf of entrepreneur who had contracted with large corporation that backed out of commitment to manufacture and distribute client’s product.
Products Liability
$ 2.5 M
Recovery for family injured in car accident caused by tire separation, where success involved two appeals involving disputes as to the application of foreign law and requiring tire company to disclose information claimed to be trade secrets.
General Injury
$ 1.65 M
Recovery in structured settlement for passenger suffering multiple fractures of legs and shoulder in rental car accident, where there was dispute over identity of the driver and whether continued use of rental was authorized by the rental company.
Commercial
CONFIDENTIAL
Settlement of wrongful termination dispute on behalf of CEO of publicly traded company.
Medical Malpractice
$ 500 K +
Jury verdict for patient who suffered permanent knee damage when physician ignored complaints of pain following knee surgery, resulting in delayed treatment causing infection that destroyed most of the patient’s cartilage.
General Injury
$ 1 M +
Settlement on behalf of rape victim against landlord of her apartment building based on failure to maintain proper security.
Life Insurance
$ 1 M
Without having to file suit, obtaining the full value of policy (plus interest) from Protective Life Insurance when policy lapse notice was not mailed within the requisite window mandated by New York insurance law.
Workplace
$ 2 M
Settlement for NYC public school custodian who fell from an A-frame ladder, resulting in lumbar injuries requiring a disc fusion surgery.
Commercial
$ 3 M
Collecting damages on behalf of the board and unit owners of condominium project against developers and contractors to recover damages resulting from structural defects in three buildings, where units had water leaks, lack of insulation, and brick deterioration.
Life Insurance
$ 675 K
Negotiating settlement at close to full value of policy, through discovery of information suggesting insurer had not sent grace period notice and may have represented to the insured that late payment was sufficient.
Commercial
Settlement after trial (for more than the last offer before trial) of appraisal dispute between principal shareholders of corporation owning the property, with trial including testimony from appraisers, architects, and city officials.
General Insurance
$ 320 K
Settlement of homeowner claim relating to flood caused by a burst pipe, where Allstate denied payment based on argument that damage resulted from owners not maintaining heat.
Workplace
$ 1 M+
Settlement for laborer injured at a municipal construction project in lower Manhattan when he fell while descending an improperly secured ladder, suffering from a skull fracture with bleeding in the brain resulting in mild cognitive impairments as well as herniations to his cervical and lumbar regions.
Life Insurance
Multiple Cases
Received full amount of death benefits owed for beneficiaries of insureds who had been incapacitated due to illness and therefore were unable to pay premium on time, after obtaining medical records to demonstrate the incapacity to the insurers.
Insurance Brokerage
Recovering payment from insurance broker’s errors and omissions carrier in suit on behalf of national beverage corporation alleging the insurance broker failed to obtain coverage for stolen goods despite client specifically requesting such coverage.
Employment
$ 200 K
Settlement in backpay plus attorney’s fees for 7 employees of a bakery/café in Queens, New York, for alleged failure to pay minimum wage and overtime, resolved shortly after the case was filed.
General Insurance
$ 250 K
Resolving claims for reimbursement on the disputed contents items, payment for loss of income, and the full amount of additional living expenses for owner of a bed and breakfast destroyed by a fire.
Products Liability
$ 1.5 M
Settlement for client suffering the loss of four fingers when his hand became trapped in rollers of a rubber mill machine lacking a standard safety device, which we were able to show was contrary to industry recommendations.
Class Action
$ 110 M
Settlement against JPMorgan Chase for obtaining fraudulent overdraft fees from consumers.
Medical Malpractice
Multi-million
Settlement for woman who suffered from septic shock and infections after transection of common bile duct during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Employment
$ 150 K
Settlement received shortly after case filed on behalf of employee of independently owned and operated supermarket, who had worked for over 100 hours per week for several years.
Products Liability
$ 1 M+
Settlement for employee whose right hand was amputated while operating a redesigned mixing machine, when the removed the safety device that would have prevented the accident.
General Insurance
Succeeding after appeal to New York’s highest court in action on behalf of wholesale jeweler whose insurer denied coverage for loss suffered when shipment of diamonds stolen by person claiming to be employed by diamond’s intended recipient.
Employment
$ 130 K
Back pay and attorneys' fees awarded after victory at bench trial on behalf of grocery store clerk paid no overtime and less than NY minimum wage.
Insurance Brokerage
$ 100 K
Securing verdict on behalf of a client who lost her business in a fire, with jury finding the insurance broker negligent in undervaluing the client’s property and failing to procure adequate insurance coverage.
Commercial
Bookson v. Shandell, Blitz, Blitz & Ashley: represented firm in action brought by firm’s former partner regarding amounts due former partner under firm’s partnership agreement, obtaining court order enabling client to bring arbitration in desired forum and prevailing at arbitration through award limiting former partner’s recovery to amount firm claimed was owed.
Products Liability
Multi-million
Award for worker falling while washing windows due to a defective safety device whose spinal cord was damaged, rendering him unable to walk without assistance.
Commercial
Proving forgery of deed at jury trial to restore property to our client in dispute between client and his brother related to brother’s forgery by which he transferred the property to himself.
Medical Malpractice
Multi-million
Structured settlement negotiated after victory at trial for an infant who was diagnosed with Erb’s Palsy after the delivering obstetrician pulled on the infant’s head when the shoulder was stuck.
Insurance Brokerage
Defending insurance broker whose client attempted to blame broker for supposedly failing to obtain proper insurance coverage for cracks to antique vase, resolving claim without payment by our client
Workplace
$ 1 M+
Settlement for worker who fell from a scaffold when his tools came into contact with an electrical wire, causing herniated lumbar and cervical discs.
Class Action
$ 49 M
Settlement against wireless cell phone company related to its refusal to allow cancellation during the billing month after the contract period expired.
Products Liability
$ 1 M +
Settlement on behalf of grocery store owner who suffered extensive damage including the loss of his hand while using an Italian-made pasta machine that failed to shut off automatically as it had been designed to do. The Italian manufacturer had no United States offices or employees but we were able to sue the United States distributor.
Class Action
$ 9.7 M
Settlement in litigation against a large phone card company that deducted minutes from its phone cards at higher rates than what was expressly stated on the cards.
Commercial
Obtaining title through adverse possession claim to property that commercial business client had been using for many years despite property belonging to its neighbor.
Medical Malpractice
Multi-million
Settlement providing annuity for baby following vaginal delivery in which the physician failed to properly estimate the fetal weight and missed numerous other indications that the baby was too big to deliver without performing a caesarian section, leading to numerous medical complications, including Erb’s Palsy.
Commercial
Representation of commercial tenant in two disputes with landlord, obtaining order that landlord breached the terms of the lease and granting client “Yellowstone Injunction” barring landlord from evicting client and allowing client to cure default under lease (if any had occurred)
Class Action
$ 4 M
Settlement for class of approximately 3,400 class members in suit against Dispensing Dynamics International and staffing agencies whose employees worked at their California facility, alleging violations of California’s state laws regarding mandatory meal and rest breaks.