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The following are judgments of at least $1 million awarded in 2025 and reported to Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
$63 million
Woman sustains multiple injuries attempting to escape apartment fire
Summary: On April 7, 2023, the plaintiff suffered catastrophic injuries after falling from the third floor of her Detroit apartment while trying to escape a fire. The building was owned and managed by three defendant companies, who failed to provide adequate fire safety measures, including working smoke detectors, alarms, extinguishers, and safe exits. The plaintiff attempted to hang from her window ledge until she fell three stories. As owners and managers, the defendants had a duty to maintain the premises safely. Their failure to provide functional fire safety equipment or safe egress directly caused the fall and resulting injuries.
Action: Premises liability
Injuries alleged: Lumbar post-laminectomy syndrome, lumbosacral radiculopathy, and a closed traumatic burst fracture of the lumbar vertebrae. Additionally, the plaintiff suffers from neuropathic pain, insomnia, chronic pain, sciatica, anxiety, and requires self-catheterization due to urinary issues
Case name: Harrison v. Coastal Line Homes, LLC, Trusa Investment, LLC, and Detroit Edge Management, LLC
Court/case no.: Wayne County Circuit Court/24-012263-NO
Judge: Catherine L. Heise
Amount: $63 million
Date: May 22, 2025
Attorneys for plaintiff: Timothy A. Holland and Laura Skenderas, Michigan Slip and Fall Lawyers, Grand Rapids
$10 million
Motor carrier owners found guilty of fraud
Summary: The defendants, a motor carrier owned by two individuals, contracted with the plaintiffs to transport goods exclusively for their customers, promising 80% of gross revenue per load. The defendants sent weekly statements showing revenue and calculating the plaintiffs’ share. However, the plaintiffs alleged that the figures were falsified, misrepresenting actual gross revenue. From 2011 to 2014, this alleged fraud deprived the plaintiffs of $3,487,795.50. Under a civil RICO claim, damages from fraud are trebled, resulting in a judgment of $10,463,386.50.
Action: Contract
Injuries alleged: Lost compensation
Case name: Mirela Uselmann et al. v. Razvan Pop, et al.
Court/case no.: Eastern District of Michigan/19-13652
Judge: Gershwin A. Drain
Amount: $10,463,386.50
Date: April 30, 2025
Attorneys for plaintiff: Bruce A. Miller, Keith D. Flynn, and Yvonne E. Tirakian, Miller Cohen
$5 million
Woman promised au pair job is victim of sex crimes
Summary: The plaintiff alleged that the defendant lured her to Michigan under the false pretense of an au pair position, only to sexually assault and exploit her. In October 2022, the defendant allegedly assaulted the plaintiff while filming her and demanding that she repeat phrases of consent. The defendant was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan for these crimes and for sexual offenses involving other young females, some under 18. He pleaded no contest and was sentenced to life in prison.
Action: Negligence and tort
Injuries alleged: Assault and battery, false imprisonment, sex trafficking, pain and suffering
Case name: Datres v. Winfree, et al.
Court/case no.: U.S. District Court Western Michigan/No. 1:23-CV-519
Judge: Hala Y. Jarbou
Amount: $5 million
Date: June 18, 2025
Attorneys for plaintiff: Scott W. Kraemer, Christopher C. Newberg and Kuiper Kraemer, of Grand Rapids; Luca Melchionna of the European Public Law Organization, New York.
$4.3 million
Door supplier secures $4.3M in dispute over fire insurance
Summary: After a May 2022 fire, Architectural Door & Millwork sought coverage from Frankenmuth Mutual Insurance Company for building repairs, damaged inventory and a statutory appraisal. An appraisal panel unanimously awarded more than $4.3 million for property damage and business income loss, plus over $1.2 million in penalty interest under Michigan’s Uniform Trade Practices Act. After paying the $1.6 million business personal property limit, Frankenmuth sued for a declaratory judgment, alleging fraud and seeking reimbursement. The trial court dismissed the fraud defense, granted summary disposition to the insured and ordered the remaining claims to appraisal.
Action: Contract
Injuries alleged: Unpaid property insurance benefits
Case name: Frankenmuth Mutual Ins Co v. Architectural Door & Millwork, Inc.
Court/case no.: Oakland County Circuit Court/2022-196425-CB
Judge: Victoria A. Valentine
Amount: $4.3 million ($5,543,200.12 with interest)
Date: July 30, 2025
Attorney for plaintiff: Jason J. Liss, Fabian, Sklar, King & Liss, Farmington Hills
$2.9 million
Driver admits to being distracted after hitting, killing man on road
Summary: A pedestrian was killed while crossing a rural two-lane road after retrieving mail from his roadside mailbox. The defendant driver admitted glancing away for one to two seconds to inspect storm damage; when he looked back, the decedent was 10 to 15 feet ahead. Although visibility was clear, the defense and a Farm Bureau claims handler disputed liability and offered no more than $200,000 despite $1.5 million in coverage. After a weeklong trial, jurors awarded $4.5 million, assigning 64.25% fault to the driver. Under MCR 2.405, the defendant also owes costs and fees.
Action: Motor vehicle negligence
Injuries alleged: Death
Case name: Estate of Craig Newton v. Dixon
Court/case no.: Kalamazoo County Circuit Court/24-0093-NI
Judge: Curtis J. Bell
Mediator: Daniel Ryan
Amount: $2.9 million ($4.5 million verdict)
Date: Oct. 17, 2025
Most helpful expert: James Campbell, accident reconstruction
Attorneys for plaintiff: Michael Z. Zavier, Varnum, Birmingham
$2.5 million
Driver suffers multiple injuries after her car is struck from behind
Summary: This was a third-party bodily injury case arising out of a July 10, 2023 motor vehicle collision, in which the plaintiff was struck from behind while driving on US-23 north in Livingston County. As a result of the rear-end collision, the plaintiff sustained injuries to her SI joints, right hip, left knee, left shoulder, head, and back. She underwent two SI joint fusion surgeries, a right hip surgery, and a left knee surgery.
Action: Motor vehicle negligence
Injuries alleged: Injuries to plaintiff’s SI joints, right hip, left knee, left shoulder, head, and back; multiple surgeries required
Case name: Leen v. Chung
Court/case no.: Livingston County Circuit Court/24-32184-NI
Judge: Suzanne L. Geddis
Amount: $2.5 million
Date: June 26, 2025
Attorneys for plaintiff: Richard A. Moore and Lauren Gwinn, Michigan Auto Law, Farmington Hills
$1.6 million
Man suffers brain, back injuries after falling down stairs at home
Summary: In March 2020, a 27-year-old tenant fell from the second floor of his leased townhouse after a defective handrail gave way. He suffered back injuries requiring surgery and a traumatic brain injury that caused memory problems but returned to work as an electrician about a year later. The defense argued the handrail met code and claimed he was high on marijuana at the time. The court awarded $1.5 million in noneconomic damages and $144,887.25 in economic damages. No appeal was filed, and the judgment was paid in full.
Action: Premises liability
Injuries alleged: Burst L3 vertebra fracture and traumatic brain injury
Case name: Hilderbrand v. Village Green of Wyandotte and Village Green Management Company
Court/case no.: Wayne County Circuit Court/22-007428-NO
Judge: Adel A. Harb
Amount: $1,644,887.25 ($144,887.25 in economic damages and $1.5 million in non-economic damages)
Date: April 16, 2025
Most helpful expert: Steven Ziemba
Attorneys for plaintiff: Howard J. Radner, Solomon M. Radner, Joumana B. Kayrouz, Southfield
$1 million
Business that defrauded medical practice ordered to pay damages
Summary: The Wayne County Circuit Court awarded over $1 million against business managers who defrauded a medical practice, mismanaged funds, and obstructed court proceedings. Under a management agreement with Alfa Professional Development, LLC, the defendants were to handle bookkeeping, billing, vendor payments, and patient records in exchange for 60–65% of revenue. Instead, they diverted funds, failed to pay bills, removed records, and tried to sell receivables without authorization. After discovery violations and sanctions, a bench trial awarded $1,001,083.65 in damages plus costs and attorney fees.
Action: Fraud
Injuries alleged: Breach of management agreement, conversion of monies, fraud, conspiracy
Case name: Genesis M.D. Diagnostic Imaging, P.C. v. Alfa Professional Development, LLC, et al
Court/case no.: Wayne County Circuit Court/22-004062-CB
Judge: Brian Sullivan
Amount: $1,001,083.65
Date: Jan. 22, 2025
Attorneys for plaintiff: Steven Z. Cohen and Aaron E. Silvenis, Cohen, Lerner & Rabinovitz, Royal Oak
$1 million
Trial on damages yields trebled award
Summary: A bench trial on damages resulted in judgment against the defendants for breach of contract and conversion, with certain defendants’ liability trebled. The total award exceeded $1 million, and the court also granted costs and attorney fees to the plaintiff. The case is notable because the judge entered a default after the defendants failed to comply with five separate court orders compelling discovery.
Action: Contract
Injuries alleged: Monetary damages
Case name: Genesis M.D. Diagnostic Imaging, PC v. Alfa Professional Development, LLC, et al.
Court/case no.: Wayne County Circuit Court, No. 22-004062-CB
Judge: Brian R. Sullivan
Date: Jan. 22, 2025
Amount: $1 million
Attorneys for plaintiff: Steven Z. Cohen and Aaron E. Silvenis, Royal Oak
$1 million
Plaintiff dies after being crushed by trailer
Summary: On Dec. 7, 2023, at a landfill, a truck driver backed his semi-truck and trailer into position to dump demolition material. After unlatching the trailer gate and beginning to lift the trailer, another garbage truck backed in nearby, about 17 feet away on the passenger side. As the trailer rose 15–20 feet, the driver noticed a creaking noise and the trailer beginning to lean. The fifth wheel plate detached from its bracket, causing the trailer to tip onto the cab of the nearby truck, crushing and killing the driver.
Action: Wrongful death/personal injury
Injuries alleged: Death
Case name: Estate of Kevin Tyner v Thomas Trucking Services, Inc.
Court/case no.: Wayne County Circuit Court/24-000463
Judge: Adel A. Harb
Mediator: Peter Ruggirello
Amount: $1 million
Date: Dec. 1, 2025
Attorneys for plaintiff: Jon Marko, Marko Law Alexander Waldman, Marko Law. Maurice Davis, Davis Legal Group.
$1 million
Plaintiff suffers injuries after railing collapses
Summary: This premises liability action arises from the collapse of a deteriorated exterior railing at the home that the plaintiff was renting from the defendants. The railing’s collapse caused the plaintiff to fall, resulting in injuries to her tibia, fibula and ankle. The judgement was secured after plaintiff’s counsel presented evidence of tenancy and lease agreements to demonstrate the plaintiff’s status as an invitee, thus establishing that the defendants owed her a duty to make the premises safe.
Action: Premises liability
Injuries alleged: Right leg fractures requiring multiple surgeries, insertion and replacement of a tibial rod, and a hospitalization for infection.
Case name: Jamies Penson v. Maven Properties and Bevance Lynch
Court/case no:: Wayne County Circuit Court/24-014168-NO
Judge: Dana Margaret Hathaway
Amount: $1 million (policy limits)
Date: Oct. 8, 2025
Attorneys for plaintiff: Richard A. Moore and Lauren Gwinn, Michigan Slip and Fall Lawyers, Farmington Hills
