FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 9, 2006

CONTACT:
215-704-3160 (cell)

van der Veen Wins $10 Million Settlement for Boy Hit by Truck Outside Einstein Hospital
Boy, Then 9 Years Old, Suffered Permanent Injuries

PHILADELPHIA: Attorney Michael T. van der Veen, a founding member of the Feasterville, PA, law firm of Kats, Jamison, van der Veen & Associates, has won a $10 million settlement from Yellow Transportation on behalf of Richard Bonhomette on the fourth day of trial. Richard, then nine, suffered permanent and disabling injuries when he was hit in the cross walk outside Einstein Medical Center on his way home from school in March 2004. Assisting Attorney van der Veen were Anthony Bocchino, a lawyer at the Kats firm, and Nelson Levin, a recognized independent expert.

“I am enormously happy that we were able to win this settlement for Richard,” said Attorney van der Veen. “Now Richard and his family can focus on taking care of his health and well being and create the best life for themselves, not worry about how they are going to pay for the lifetime of medical care and support Richard will need.”

Richard, then a third-grade student at Howe Elementary School, was hit by a Yellow Freight truck at the entrance of Albert Einstein Hospital on Einstein Drive, a high traffic, high pedestrian area, when he was walking home at about 3:50 p.m. He was hit and dragged a few feet by the Yellow Freight truck.

Richard, who twice stopped breathing after the accident and had to be resuscitated, went through numerous surgeries and spent a month in a coma at Children’s Hospital. He suffered permanent injuries that have left him in need of care. Richard’s mother is his permanent caregiver.

Just prior to his accident, Richard had tested at normal levels for a child his age and his family hoped that he would follow his grandfather’s footsteps and become a minister. Now, Richard will need permanent support and care.

“When you see someone like Richard, who was so full of life, hurt like he was, it makes you realize the incredible impact an accident like this can have on the life of every member of the family,” closed van der Veen. “With their agreement to settle, Yellow Trucking has done the right thing for the Richard and the entire Bonhomette family.”

Kats, Jamieson & van der Veen represents individuals in all areas of civil and criminal litigation. Its 10 attorneys offer a regional practice, appearing in Philadelphia, New Jersey, and throughout the five-county area. Their offices are located at 25 Bustleton Pike, Feasterville, PA. They can be reached at (215) 396-9001 or (800) LAW-1917.

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