Opinion ID: 2194805
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Federal Litigation and Settlement Agreement

Text: On November 28, 2001, Mr. Caglioti filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia against Graham-Field, the manufacturer of Mr. Caglioti's wheelchair, and Everest & Jennings, the distributor of the wheelchair. On November 11, 2003, a confidential Settlement Agreement, General Release and Assignment of Claims (Settlement Agreement) was entered into between Mr. Caglioti, Graham-Field, and its insurers. The Settlement Agreement provided that in full settlement and discharge of all of Mr. Caglioti's claims against it, Graham-Field promised to pay a lump sum of money, periodic payments, and assign any and all claims that Graham-Field and the other released parties [1] might have for contribution and/or indemnification against the medical providers. The relevant language from the Settlement Agreement regarding the release and assignment of claims stated: 1. General Release and Discharge/Indemnification In consideration [for monies to be paid] the plaintiff hereby completely releases and forever discharges [the released parties] as well as any other person, company, organization or entity whatsoever, including but not limited to District Hospital Partners, LP, Universal Health Services, Inc., Medical Faculty Associates and any other physicians, nurses, hospitals, medical facilities or medical personnel that provided care to Plaintiff after his accident, that may be claimed as responsible in part or in whole for Plaintiff's injuries or current condition, from any and all past, present or future claims . . . which the Plaintiff ever had, now has, or which may hereafter accrue or otherwise be acquired, on account of, or in anyway growing out of . . . the Complaint including without limitation [any damages known or unknown] or for increased damages due to aggravating circumstances as a result of the wheelchair accident. 8. Released Parties' Assignment of Claims to Plaintiff As additional consideration for the general release referred to in Paragraph 1 of the Settlement Agreement, the Released Parties are hereby assigning to the Plaintiff any and all claims that the Released Parties may have for contribution and/or indemnification. This assignment of claims specifically relates to any and all claims that the Released Parties may have against District Hospital Partners, LP, Universal Health Services, Inc., Medical Faculty Associates and/or any other physicians, nurses, hospitals or medical faculties or medical personnel that provided care to Plaintiff after his accident. It is the intention of the parties in entering into this assignment, that any and all claims that the Released Parties would have against any of the Plaintiff's medical providers, including but not limited to the medical providers referenced in this paragraph, shall be assigned to the Plaintiff. This assignment includes any claims for contribution, indemnification, equitable indemnification, or any other similar claims that the Released Parties may have against any health care providers who may have provided negligent medical care and treatment to the Plaintiff and thereby exacerbated his injuries and damages from the July 13, 2000 accident. Plaintiff understands and agrees that any claim brought by Plaintiff against District Hospital Partners, LP, Universal Health Services, Inc., Medical Faculty Associates and/ or any other physicians, nurses, hospitals or medical faculties or medial personnel that provided care to the Plaintiff after his accident triggers his indemnification obligation under paragraph 1. Plaintiff agrees that twenty-five percent (25 %) of any money he may recover as a result of the assignment referred to in this paragraph 8, after deduction for reasonable attorney's fees and costs, shall be remitted to the Released Parties . . . All parties understand and agree that any money required to be paid under this paragraph shall first reimburse Westchester [Graham-Field's liability insurer] up to the amount it paid in this Settlement, then to Markel [Graham-Field's liability insurer] to reimburse the amount it paid in this Settlement, and lastly, including any amount in excess of the amounts paid by Insurers, to the Company. (emphasis added) After the Settlement Agreement was executed, Mr. Caglioti dismissed his claims in federal court.