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Richard M Gerry

Aiken Schenk Hawkins & Ricciardi P.C.
4742 N. 24th St., Suite 100
Phoenix, Arizona 85016-4849

602-248-8203 • rmg@hs-law.com

Practice Areas
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death

Education
B.S., summa cum laude, Arizona State University, 1975
J.D., Arizona State University, 1978

Honors & Awards

Honors & Awards Description
Outstanding Trial Lawyer for 2008: Arizona Trial Lawyers Association
One Hundred Largest Jury Verdicts for 2008 (Graham v. ValueOptions)
Ten Largest Arizona Jury Verdicts for 2008 (Graham v. ValueOptions)
Super Lawyers (2007-present)
The Best Lawyers in America (2010-present)
Ten Largest Arizona Jury Verdicts for 2006 (Hudgins v. Southwest Airlines)
Lawdragon 500
The Top 100 Trial Lawyers (Arizona), The American Trial Lawyers Association


Professional Associations and Memberships
State Bar of Arizona
State Bar of California
Arizona Personal Injury Trial Lawyers Association
American Trial Lawyers Association (Board of Directors)
Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum

Published Cases
Case Description
Graham v. ValueOptions (2008) Jury verdict: $36 million for wrongful death, awarded to the victim’s widow, two minor children and surviving parents. Patrick Graham was shot to death by a dangerously mentally ill patient under the supervision of ValueOptions. The jury found ValueOptions 90% at fault for failing to seek a court order to evaluate the shooter for involuntary commitment. Court testimony showed that the shooter had not received treatment for eight months, even though a nurse practitioner charged with his care had warned ValueOptions that the shooter could be a danger to himself and others due to his deteriorating condition. The $36 million jury award was Arizona’s fifth-largest for 2008 (Arizona Attorney, June 2009) and the 58th largest in the nation (Verdict Search).
Adamowicz v. Ryan et al (2007) Settlement: $3 million. A 68-year-old woman was killed by a drunk-driving teenage girl. The victim’s surviving adult children sought compensation from the teenager’s parents, for allowing her to drive despite knowing she had a history of alcohol abuse; from the owner of the home at which the girl attended a party where alcohol was provided; and from the mini-mart that sold her alcohol. Settlement was based on claims of negligent entrustment of a vehicle to a minor, parental liability for children under the age of 21 who supply alcohol to minors, employer liability for employees who sell alcohol to minors, and punitive damages for conscious disregard of the probable injury and death caused by intoxicated minors.
Hudgins v. Southwest Airlines (2006) Jury verdict: $9 million. Two men were directed and given written authorization to carry their weapons aboard a Southwest Airlines flight. Southwest then reported that the men did not have authorization. The men were arrested, jailed and prosecuted for taking weapons aboard the plane and faced ten years in prison. Southwest refused to provide to the FBI the facts proving the men’s innocence unless the men signed a release agreeing not to sue Southwest for their false arrests. The $9 million jury award was among Arizona’s top ten jury awards for 2006 (Arizona Attorney, June 2007).
Esson v. LaPuesta Del Sol (2004) Jury award:$2.6 million. Death of a 29-year-old man killed in an auto accident by a drunk bartender. Although the accident occurred after work, jury found the bar 100% responsible for negligently allowing its employee to get drunk on the job.
Burton v. State and Yavapai County Fair (2003) Settlement: $9 million. Jockey suffered severe brain injury from a head-on collision with another horse, which was blinded by mud after slipping on the track and ran in the opposite direction. State stewards and track officials failed to cancel races due to unsafe track conditions.
Chadwick v. State of Arizona (2000) Jury verdict: $4 million. Nine-year-old girl strangled by her brother, who was on supervised probation. Trial verdict after Supreme Court reversed Court of Appeals' dismissal. Supreme Court ruled probation officer had a duty to report foreseeable danger to the court.
Landers v. State and City of Phoenix (1998) Settlement: $4.5 million. Police officer killed when drunk driver crossed through freeway median. Unsafe freeway design without median barrier to prevent cross over collisions.


Bar Admissions
Arizona, California

Community Leadership
Organization Description
Phoenix Municipal Court: Judicial Selection Advisory Board (2006-present)
John C. Lincoln Hospital Guild: President (1991-1992)


Richard M Gerry