Insurance Defense
Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, and Property Damage
Gavett, Datt & Barish, P.C., has defended numerous personal injury, wrongful death, and property damage claims in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. This experience includes jury and non-jury trials in the state and federal courts and before private arbitration panels. The firm has also litigated many cases at the appellate level.
Most general liability claims defended by our firm are at the request of insurers for representation of their insureds pursuant to commercial general liability policies or self-insured companies, and involve a spectrum of claims including:
- Construction Site Accidents
- Construction Defects
- Professional Malpractice
- Automobile Torts
- Premises Liability
- Negligent Security
- Discrimination
- Fraud
- Defamation
- Wrongful Death
- Property damage
Gavett, Datt & Barish, P.C. has handled matters involving death and serious injuries. We have also represented clients in cases where there are claims of emotional and psychiatric loss. We have represented small and large companies and individuals, as well as self-insured entities.
Our attorneys take an aggressive approach in defending claims. This includes obtaining a thorough history of the plaintiff's prior accidents, medical treatment and employment. We utilize investigation techniques to learn about and confirm a plaintiff's medical, employment and rehabilitation status. Our standard practice includes interviewing witnesses, co-employees and other individuals who possess information about the plaintiff and accident to obtain a complete history on how the incident occurred as well as a profile on the individual making the claim. We work closely with our clients in locating any information or evidence that will influence the fact-finder in making a determination regarding the claim.
Workers' Compensation
The law firm of Gavett, Datt & Barish, P.C. also has significant experience in the area of Workers' Compensation, having handled the defense of numerous claims in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Our representation has included employers and their insurers, self-insured entities and uninsured employers. We assist our clients in managing, evaluating and resolving workers' compensation claims. Our ultimate goal is limiting any potential exposure in connection with a given claim.
In conjunction with the defense of claims, our attorneys have represented clients at numerous hearings and have litigated a wide variety of issues including the following:
- The Employer-Employee Relationship
- Nature and Extent of Disability
- Accidental Injury
- Causal Connection
- Average Weekly Wage
- Occupational Disease
- Attorneys' Fees
- Jurisdiction
- Failure to Cooperate with Vocational Rehabilitation
We take an aggressive approach in defending compensation claims. This includes a thorough understanding of the circumstances of any alleged accident, as well as a history of the claimant's prior accidents and medical treatment. When necessary, investigation techniques are utilized to learn about and confirm a claimant's medical, employment and rehabilitation status. We conduct interviews with co-employees and other individuals who possess information about the claimant to obtain a complete profile on the individual making the claim. We work closely with our clients in locating any information or evidence that will influence the fact-finder in making a favorable determination regarding the claim.
In those instances where the decision at the hearing level is not supported by sufficient facts or applicable law, the firm has experience in drafting persuasive appellate briefs and arguing for a reversal of the underlying decision.
We take the necessary steps to fully ensure that our clients are placed in the best position possible regarding any workers' compensation claim.