In the Courts

Turner Padget enjoys a long tradition as one of South Carolina’s premier litigation firms. While our practice areas have expanded over the past eighty years to meet the evolving needs of our clients, it is our legacy as litigators that remains paramount to our success. This section of our blog contains recent courtroom achievements.

Thom Salane Prevails in Declaratory Judgment Action

Thom represented a major insurer in a declaratory judgment action in which the company sought to disclaim coverage, and therefore relieve the insurer from a duty to defend or indemnify based on a Designated Premises Endorsement.

Charlie Hill and Ginny Williams Triumph in a Legal Malpractice Lawsuit

Charlie Hill and Ginny Williams represented a two-person law firm in a suit arising out of a divorce action. In the underlying case, the wife sued her husband for divorce and equitable distribution of marital assets.

Eric Englebardt and Sarah Day Hurley Obtain Summary Judgment in Employment Case

The plaintiff was a long-term employee who suffered a bad break of her ankle and was out of work on FMLA leave for twelve weeks.

Thames Secures Defense Verdict

Troy successfully defended a dog bite case in Charleston County.

Belcher Secures Early Dismissal for Employer

Reggie represented a life insurance company and two of its managers.

Belcher Obtains Summary Judgment for Employer

Reggie Belcher represented a trucking company in this matter.

Josey and Payne Secure a Victory for Bank Client

The bank was sued for defamation by the proposed manager of a new business venture arising out of a refusal by the bank to loan the venture funds.

Dooley and Sammataro Prevail on Appeal

The appeal arose from a denied claim for partial reimbursement of workers' compensation benefits from the Second Injury Fund.

Spruill and Williams Triumph

Duvall Spruill and Drew Williams filed suit to stop an owner of a neighboring commercial tract from building a portion of his new project ...

Summary Judgment Secured by Jake Kennedy Affirmed

In this employment law case, the employee alleged the employer violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Jake Kennedy Obtains Summary Judgment

Jake's client owned a trailer used to transport chickens to its processing plant.

Atkinson Delivers Defense Verdict

Heath Atkinson delivers a defense verdict in a motor vehicle case where both liability and damages were in question.

John Blincow and Ashley Heslop Deliver Defense Verdict

John and Ashley represented a cardiologist who was sued by the widow of one of his patients.

Brandon Hylton and Sam Sammataro Prevail in Workers’ Compensation Matter

The claimant alleged injury to his left knee by repetitive trauma and by accident from a fall from his truck that occurred while making a delivery.

Reggie Belcher Secures Summary Judgment for Employer

The company fired the employee after he violated a safety rule, as his violation could have caused serious injury or death to himself or others.

Reggie Belcher Obtains Summary Judgment in Defamation Case

Plaintiff provided financial and accounting-related services to a school district where Defendant served as statewide superintendent.

Julian Allen Secures Defense Verdict in John Doe Action

The Plaintiff’s cases were consolidated for trial. Plaintiff husband was driving when he claims that a black SUV hit the front of his car, causing it to roll over twice.

Gerald Chambers Obtains Defense Verdict in Medical Malpractice Case

Chambers obtained a defense verdict in a week-long medical malpractice case representing a general surgeon.

South Carolina Court of Appeals Upholds Dismissal Obtained by Rene Josey

By declining a rehearing en banc, the South Carolina Court of Appeals upholds another dismissal obtained by Rene Josey.

Eric Englebardt and Adam Russell Obtain Favorable Verdict

Defendant and another driver were racing their Mustang GT’s through Fountain Inn, South Carolina, including a two mile stretch of Main Street around 3:30 p.m. on a weekday afternoon. Speeds reportedly hit 80-100 MPH.

Brad Easterling and Sam Sammataro Triumph in Workers’ Compensation Matter

The claimant alleged he sustained a compensable hernia injury while moving heavy equipment at the employer’s mill.

Tom Kennaday Argues Case of the Month for January 2012

As part of his probate litigation practice, Tom was asking the court to recognize a new cause of action, intentional interference with an inheritance, and a new form of damages for civil conspiracy, lost expected inheritance.

Troy Thames Secures Summary Judgment in Premises Liability Case

The Plaintiff fell in a restaurant on Hilton Head Island.

Adam Russell Successfully Defends Automobile Accident Case

The Defendant entered the Plaintiff’s adjacent lane of travel causing the accident.

South Carolina Court of Appeals Upholds Dismissal of Claims Against Bank Client

Rene Josey represented the bank in this matter.

Rich Dukes Secures Defense Verdict for Title Insurance Company

The dispute involved a million dollar claim plus interest and attorney’s fees.

Wayne Byrd and Audra Byrd Obtain Verdict of $6,450,000 on Personal Guaranty

The Defendant had signed the guaranty in connection with a loan from a bank to his company.

Frank Shuler Secures Reversal by the South Carolina Court of Appeals

The appeal was of a Family Court case involving the termination of the mother’s parental rights.

The Product Liability Group Prevails at Trial and on Appeal for Automobile Manufacturer

The automobile manufacturer was sued on a rollover accident.

Heath Atkinson Prevails in Two Automobile Accident Cases

In the first case, Heath not only defeated the Plaintiff’s claim, but his client was awarded $20,000 on her counterclaim.

Chuck Turner Obtains Favorable Verdict in Automobile Accident Case

The Defendant client hit the Plaintiff’s vehicle from the rear.

South Carolina Supreme Court Vacates Decisions by Full Commission

In a matter handled by Sam Sammataro and Shayne Williams, the South Carolina Supreme Court vacates decisions by the full commission and the circuit court.

Julian Allen Obtains Defense Verdict

Liability was admitted.

Walt Barefoot and Sam Sammataro Represent Large Regional Hospital

They obtain reversal of an award by the Workers’ Compensation Commission.

David Marshall Secures Judgment

David Marshall secures judgment in favor of an automobile manufacturer on appeal

Michelle Clayton Prevails in Four-Day Nonjury Trial

The case was an equitable action involving who should bear the costs of replacing portions of a storm water drainage system.

Troy Thames Obtains Favorable Verdict

A defense verdict is rendered in a motor vehicle accident with disputed liability and damages.

Julian Allen Triumphs on UIM Claim

The claim arose from a four-car accident.

Adam Russell Prevails in Dog Attack Case

Defendant's dog was running free and approached Plaintiff and his dog.

Julian Allen Secures Favorable Verdict

A favorable verdict is secured on an uninsured motorist claim.

Chuck Turner and Anne Culbreath Settle Motor Vehicle Negligence Case

The case was settled for $10,000 where the minor Plaintiff had medicals of more than $290,000 from a serious neck surgery.

Chuck Turner, Anne Culbreath and Adam Russell Settle Major Case

Chuck Turner, Anne Culbreath and Adam Russell successfully team to settle a major case against a local college.

Thom Salane Obtains Defense Verdict After Multiple Day Trial

The client ran a plastics recycling operation in a leased portion of an old mill.

Ralephata Obtains Summary Judgment

Nosizi Ralephata obtains summary judgment in an insurance coverage case.

Josh Shaw Obtains Favorable Verdict in Property Damage Case

Plaintiff truck driver claimed his truck was damaged by rocks coming from Defendant truck driver's trailer.

David Sligh Successfully Defends Property Owners Association

Plaintiff brought causes of action for breach of fiduciary duty and declaratory judgment.

Ed Cole and Audra Byrd Obtain Directed Verdict Against Finance Company

When the Plaintiff’s account became delinquent, the company hired a towing service to repossess the vehicle.

David Sligh Delivers Substantial Verdict on Debt Owed to Client

The primary issue in the case was whether the business that incurred the debt was solely owed by one of the defendants.

Julian Allen Obtains Defense Verdict in Motor Vehicle Accident Case

Liability was admitted.

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Affirms Summary Judgment Obtained by Jake Kennedy

The decision was in favor of an employer who terminated a worker for insubordination.

Julian Allen Prevails in Admitted Fault Wreck Case

Plaintiff was a 17 year old who was a passenger in the adverse vehicle.

Julian Allen Again Prevails in Admitted Fault Wreck Case

Plaintiff was a 45 year old male who claimed two disc herniations.

Sam Sammataro and Cindy Dooley Win at Every Stage

The workers’ compensation case was appealed to the South Carolina Court of Appeals.

Shannon Bobertz Prevails on Assault and Battery Claim Against Her Deceased Client

Plaintiff was a 65-year old male who claimed a 57 year old woman beat him with a golf club and a baseball bat.

David Marshall Obtains Defense Verdicts for Automotive Client and Local Car Dealership

The Greenville County case involved allegations of false advertising.

Thom Salane Prevails for Second Time in Insurance Coverage Case

The case arose out of underlying state and federal lawsuits by Plaintiff for wrongful death of an individual under confinement.

Mike Chase and Sam Sammataro Prevail in South Carolina Court of Appeals

The matter was an appeal of a workers' compensation case.

Charlie Hill Successfully Defends Medical Malpractice Case

The case against a Columbia hospital ended abruptly on the second day of trial.

Nosi Ralephata Prevails on Motion to Dismiss in U. S. District Court

Plaintiff filed a lawsuit alleging that the display and use of her photographs as part of the promotional material for an exhibit.

Reggie Belcher and Michelle Clayton Obtain Summary Judgment on Behalf of Insurer

Plaintiff sued six defendants, including Turner Padget’s client.

Josh Shaw Obtains Favorable Verdict for Non-Profit Corporation

The suit was against a former employee for return of advance payments made to the employee prior to the employee’s resignation.

Duvall Spruill Prevails in Non-Jury Trial

The matter was heard in Sumter County.

Thorne Barrett Obtains Reversal of Trial Court Decision

The appeal was of an automobile accident case in which Shannon Bobertz represented the defendant at trial.

Jeff Payne and Jake Kennedy Win Summary Judgment in Federal Court for Banking Client

The presiding judge granted the client summary judgment on all claims brought by a bank customer.