Brenda Nguonly

American Health Law Association.

Representative Matters: Commercial Auto Accident, Venue Transfer (Philadelphia/Bucks County, PA) - Secured a favorable venue transfer on behalf of defendants in a motor vehicle accident matter originally filed in Philadelphia County. The case arose from an accident in Bucks County involving a driver operating a contracting business, with both defendants residing and conducting business outside Philadelphia. Despite these facts, the plaintiff filed suit in Philadelphia County. The defense challenged venue through Preliminary Objections, asserting that Philadelphia was an improper forum. The Court sustained the Preliminary Objections and transferred the matter to Bucks County, directing the plaintiff to pay transfer costs.; Premises Liability, Negligent Security Claim (Philadelphia, PA) - Assisted in securing a defense verdict on behalf of a theme park in a negligent security action arising from an alleged assault in the park's main plaza. Plaintiff, a minor at the time of the incident, claimed she was attacked by a group of teenagers while exiting the park and alleged that inadequate security caused her injuries. Following a five-day jury trial, the defense established that the incident was a targeted altercation between individuals who knew each other and had an ongoing dispute, and not the result of any failure in park security. The defense successfully focused the jury on issues of foreseeability and control, rebutting claims that the park could be held responsible for a non-random, acquaintance-based assault. Plaintiff sought substantial damages, including allegations of permanent cognitive impairment and more than $520,000 in claimed lost earning capacity, supported by neuropsychological, vocational, and security experts. After approximately one hour of deliberations, the jury returned a defense verdict.; Commercial Auto Liability (Philadelphia, PA) - Second-chaired a trial resulting in a favorable jury verdict of $376,000 in a high-exposure motor vehicle accident case involving admitted liability where plaintiff, represented by a nationally recognized plaintiffs' firm, alleged traumatic brain injury, permanent disability, $800,000 in future lost earnings, and over $600,000 in future medical expenses. Despite a multi-million demand and late transfer of the case after key deadlines had expired, the defense retained medical and economic experts and limited the case to damages at trial, resulting in a verdict approximately 15% of plaintiff's demand and well below the carrier's pre-trial offer.