"They took time to understand our issues, counsel and educated us through the legal process"
“We very much want to take a moment to thank our entire Kline & Specter team. Over a stressful number of months, they took time to understand our issues, counsel and educated us through the legal process. During this special relationship we quickly gained a new respect and appreciation for their knowledge and dedication and that of the total organization. Again, thank you for taking a difficult and dark time of our lives through to a hopeful and brighter future.”
George Mesigian, who, with his wife, Patricia Mesigian, of Media, Pa., won an $80 million verdict in a vaginal mesh case tried in Philadelphia. The jury award included $50 million in punitive damages against Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Ethicon Inc.
“There for my family”
"The team at Kline & Specter were there for my family from the beginning to the end. Thank you Shanin for never wavering and making sure those responsible were held accountable to the very end. Thank you Kila and Dominic for your friendship and compassion and for all the support you showed my family. Thank you all for fighting for Carrie. You were her voice! The girls and I will be forever grateful to all of you.”
Mike Goretzka (pictured right) of suburban Pittsburgh
His wife, Carrie, was killed by a fallen power line outside the family's suburban Pittsburgh home. The case, tried by Shanin Specter, Kila Baldwin and Dominic Guerrini, resulted in a $109 million jury verdict and a subsequent settlement of $105 million.
“Professional and personalized… trustworthy team”
“I want to express my sincere gratitude for the work you've done for the victims of the Amtrak derailment on May 12th, 2015. I want to thank you for your professional and personalized approach in dealing with me and my inquiries. While a settlement was the result, I feel that the process of receiving information, being able to follow the case and knowing that I was working with a trustworthy team was the most valuable realization from this experience. This process has helped me understand the events of that night, gain closure and has gotten me closer to who I was on May 11th, 2015.”
W. Vallen Graham
One victim of the Amtrak 188 derailment in which eight people were killed and more than 200 were injured.
“Passionate pursuit of justice”
"When we retained the firm of Kline & Specter to represent us, we expected that we would receive outstanding legal representation. What we didn’t expect was how kind and compassionate their entire team would be in supporting us through the long and emotional trial process... They listened to us, took the time to really get to know and understand us, and made us feel like we were the most important people in the world to them. The entire team of attorneys and paralegals worked tirelessly – including very long days and weekends – to make sure that they covered every detail. Their passionate pursuit of justice was clear every step of the way and we will be forever grateful to them for everything they did for us."
Suzanne Emmett
Plaintiff in a vaginal mesh case that ended in a $41 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson.
"AMAZING … truly remarkable!"
"I want to thank you and your team for the AMAZING work you did on his case! Your support, advice, guidance and presence were paramount in helping Philippe and the family go through this difficult time … Your advocacy in these unwarranted police shootings and excessive violence plague is truly remarkable! I commend your tenacity! Getting a record settlement with the city of Philadelphia is groundbreaking and sends a message I hope will be heard LOUD and CLEAR!"
Odette Shirley, mother of Philippe Holland
From a letter to Tom Kline from Odette Shirley, mother of Philippe Holland, a college student who was gunned down by police after making a food delivery in West Philadelphia. The case ended in a $4.4 million settlement and a revamping of regulations and training for city plainclothes police officers.
“The best lawyer”
“Dear Tom, you will always be in my heart … I believe you are the best lawyer I could have ever been lucky enough to get. The love and support I felt from the whole team got me through this … Keep fighting for those out there who have been hurt. You're a fine man and a great lawyer. I feel blessed to have met you.”
Benita Pledger of Thorsby, Ala.
$2.5 million verdict. From a letter written by the mother of a client who developed male breasts (gynecomastia) after using Risperdal
“An amazing job”
“No one else could have done this. I wasn’t expecting this at all – it was a really, really big verdict. They did an amazing job, all three of them. It helped my family a lot, not only in a financial way but also with closure.”
Trachelle Brown (pictured second from left) of Philadelphia
Daughter of LaTonya Brown, who was killed by a former fellow employee at the Kraft Foods plant in Northeast Philadelphia. Shanin Specter, Dominic Guerrini and Patrick Fitzgerald obtained $46.5 million in total compensatory and punitive damages over two trials in 2015 for the Browns and the family of Tanya Wilson, also killed in the 2010 incident.
"Savvy... skilled ... wise"
“When my sister died, I was consumed with wanting to do right by her, especially if her death could have been prevented but for someone's negligence. Enter Tom Kline. Tom was savvy enough to handle roving reporters, skilled enough to manage complex litigation and wise enough to know how to deal with a grieving family with care.”
Gail Ramsey
Gail Ramsey's sister, DeAnn White, was one of three women killed in the Pier 34 collapse in May of 2000. The case resulted in a $29 million settlement.
"Phenomenal!"
"They were phenomenal! I can't say enough nice things about everyone on the team from top to bottom. It was just the most professional group of people I have ever seen."
Sharon Carlino of Toms River, N.J.
Case against Johnson & Johnson over a defective transvaginal mesh product resulted in a $13.5 million verdict
“Fought feverishly”
“I had the best experienced legal team imaginable. They were patient and understanding throughout the whole ordeal. They knew how sensitive I was concerning the care of my brain-injured child and fought feverishly to win my case. It was a long battle and we were victorious!”
Ebony Harris of Philadelphia
$42.9 million jury verdict in a case in which her child suffered cognitive and physical impairments as a result of a birth injury. The case was handled by Tom Kline and Regan Safier.
“Utterly spectacular”
“Shanin Specter dedicated 10 years to our case. I’ve never had anybody who had the commitment he had toward our case. To this day I still have the utmost respect for Shanin and the staff. They were utterly spectacular.”
Jimmie White of Elko, Nev.
His young son was killed by a Ford truck with a defective parking brake. The case went to a $153 million verdict, a $52 million punitive damages jury award on retrial and ultimately a confidential settlement.
“Compassionate and real”
“After being rejected by several other prominent law firms, Tom Kline took our case, telling us that he was ‘all in’ and that he would fight for us to make sure the parties responsible for our loss would be held accountable. Tom is a compassionate and real human being who felt our pain and was able to convey the depth of that pain and our hardships to the jury. When you lose a loved one, there is no “victory” in court, but with the persistence of Tom Kline and his staff, we were vindicated. Those responsible were, indeed, held accountable.”
Tony Matteo of Ambler, Pa.
$25 million verdict in a case in which his wife died following an in-vitro procedure
“Very professional, personable”
“Very professional, personable and great to work with.”
Alex Cole of Philadelphia
Confidential settlement in a medical malpractice case where the delayed diagnosis of a patient resulted in his partial blindness
“Professional and caring”
“Excellent resources, professional, and caring.”
David and Karen Ruda of Athens, Pa.
Confidential settlement in a slip-and-fall personal injury case
“Did an amazing job”
“Amy Guth did an amazing job on our case!! Thanks Amy!!!”
Donald and Christine Mulherin of Langhorne, Pa.
Confidential settlement in a medical malpractice case that resulted in death of the patient
“Qualified and prestigious”
“Attentive to my needs and helpful in getting the ‘job done.’ Very qualified and prestigious firm.”
Trent Shultz of Flemington, Pa.
Confidential settlement in a medical malpractice case involving the delayed diagnosis of cancer
“Gets results!”
“Excellent, hard-working team that gets results! Thank you!”
Anton Mahne of Havertown, Pa.
Confidential settlement in a medical malpractice case
“Simply terrific”
“Professional, diligent and compassionate representation. Jim [Waldenberger] is simply terrific. He handled a difficult MVA, and got a great result for me. He was always patient, and always available. His guidance was always on point.”
Sidney Zilber of Merion Station, Pa.
$600,000 settlement in a motor vehicle accident
“Completely confident”
“I felt completely confident knowing that I had Kline & Specter fighting for me.”
Bobbi Weaver of Wintersville, Ohio
Confidential settlement in a wrongful death case
“The first firm ... (to) call”
“I'm very grateful and thankful for all the help that was given to my family and I from this law firm. If I ever need help again you will be the first firm that I will call.”
Tinisha Childs-Wescott of Philadelphia
Confidential settlement for a medical malpractice case in which the patient died as a result of an anoxic brain injury