William M. Davoren PARTNER
William Davoren handles personal injury claims resulting from car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck or tractor trailer accidents, pedestrian knockdown accidents, car versus bicycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, including accidents involving wrongful death and injuries to the brain and spinal cord. He represents injured victims of drunken drivers, distracted drivers, drivers who operate vehicles under the influence of drugs, drivers talking while driving, and drivers texting while driving. He appears for those whose lives have been permanently altered by individuals, partnerships, companies and any other legal entity that manufactures, distributes, sells or produces dangerous products, commits medical malpractice and is responsible for workplace accidents. He graduated from Fairfield University in 1989, where he was an associate justice of the Fairfield University Student Court. He received his law degree in 1992 from Albany Law School, of Union University. While at Albany Law School, Bill participated in the moot trial court competition and externed for the Honorable Lawrence E. Kahn of the Supreme Court for the State of New York.
After graduating from law school, Bill worked for the law firm of McMahon & Walsh, PC in Manchester, Connecticut. In 1995, he accepted a position with Allstate Insurance Company, where he defended Allstate and individuals insured by Allstate in motor vehicle accident cases, slip and fall cases, personal liability claims, and uninsured motorist claims. While at Allstate, he completed an in house trial advocacy program presented by the National Institute for Trial Advocacy. He was promoted to Senior Trial Attorney in August of 1998 and defended personal injury cases in the Stamford, Fairfield and Waterbury Superior Courts. He joined Wofsey, Rosen, Kweskin & Kuriansky, LLP as a litigation associate in October 2000, and committed himself to protecting the victims of negligent, reckless and intentional conduct. He has tried forty jury cases to verdict, and collected more than forty-five million dollars on behalf of WRKK’s clients. He became a partner in January, 2007.
Bill is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the National Trial Lawyers: Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers, the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice, the Connecticut Bar Association and is admitted to practice in Connecticut, New York and the United States District Court, for the District of Connecticut. He is also AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
Bill is committed to community service and volunteers time to serve the citizens of Fairfield County as a member of the Knights of Columbus, St. John XXIII Council. He is a Trustee for the St. Jude’s Roman Catholic Church in Monroe, CT. He is a former member of the Board of Directors for the Fairfield County Bar Association, and Past Grand Knight, for the Knights of Columbus, St. John XXIII Council. He lives in Monroe, Connecticut with his wife, Lisa, and his two children, Connor and Samantha, and their Labrador Retriever, Kia.
Practice Areas
- Personal Injury
- Products Liability
- Bad Faith Insurance
- Insurance Practices
- Workers Compensation
- Breach of Contract
- Medical Malpractice
Education
- Albany Law School of Union University, Juris Doctorate, 1992
- Moot Court Trial Competition
- The Supreme Court for the State of New York, The Honorable Lawrence E. Kahn, Extern
- Fairfield University, Bachelor of Science in Management, 1989
- Fairfield University Student Court, Associate Justice
Bar and Court Admissions
- Connecticut, 1992
- New York, 1993
- United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, 1993
Professional Awards
- AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Silver Client Champion, Martindale-Hubbell® Client Review Rating 5.0 out of 5.0
- Allstate Insurance Company, Attorney Division Upstate New York, Bronze Medal Award, 1997
- Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, 2017 – Present
Professional Associations
- Connecticut Bar Association, 2000 – Present
- Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, 2000 – Present
- American Association for Justice, 2002 – Present
- The Million Dollar Advocates Forum, 2012 – Present
- The Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, 2012 – Present
- Fairfield County Bar Association, Board of Directors, 2012 – 2015
Representative Matters
- $320,000 Settlement of Traffic Sign Case
- Partner Bill Davoren recently secured a $320,000.00 settlement of a hotly contested personal injury case arising out of an incident in which the firm’s client, a pedestrian, was struck by an eight pound temporary traffic control sign. The firm alleged that the general contractor’s sign was left unsecured, unattended and unprotected from wind, automobiles or vandalism. Defendant contested ownership of the sign and the extent of plaintiff’s injuries. The firm argued that the accident occurred because the defendant violated state and federal law, construction standards and common sense in leaving their road construction sign out in a heavy wind storm. The case settled after the parties participated in court annexed mediation. As a result of this case, the injured pedestrian recovered her past medical bills, received payment for future medical bill and pain medication, and was compensated for the pain and suffering
- Half-Million Dollar Settlement for Victim of Sailboat Crash
- Bill Davoren, Zachary Phillipps, and the WRKK Personal Injury Team recently secured $500,000.00 for a client who was injured in a sailboat crash in waters between Connecticut and New York. The client was a passenger on a chartered sailboat that crashed into visible, named rocks. The crash caused the client substantial permanent injuries to her brain and neck that required costly medical, emotional, and cognitive treatment. Although the defendants claimed that the client was actually a crew member and was responsible for the crash, Attorney Davoren successfully overcame these arguments and secured a favorable settlement for the client prior to trial.Attorney Davoren proved to the insurance companies for the captain and charter company that, despite their arguments to the contrary, the cause of the crash was the captain’s failure to chart a course, check tides, observe aids to navigation, and responsibly care for passengers on his sailing vessel. Additionally, Attorney Davoren demonstrated that the charter company’s failure to follow industry standards and its own policies contributed to the crash and the client’s injuries. As a result, the client recovered the cost of her past medical bills, received payment for future medical treatment, and was compensated for the human losses caused by this serious boat crash.
- Firm client with a traumatic brain injury receives a seven hundred and eighty thousand dollar settlement.
- Partner Bill Davoren recently obtained a seven hundred and eighty thousand dollar settlement for an elderly client. The case arose out of defendant corporation’s failure to follow its property management plan, security plan, and common sense. The firm discovered that the corporation constructed snow banks that allowed snow and ice to blow, melt and drain across the parking lot where it subsequently froze and made the property dangerous for pedestrians. The firm also uncovered that defendant’s security company was not patrolling the property and identifying, removing or reporting known risks to pedestrian travel. As a result, our elderly client was caused to fall to the ground and sustain serious injuries, including a traumatic brain injury which required surgery.Although nothing could offset the losses sustained by our client, the settlement reimbursed his medical bills, out of pocket expenses, and will financially assist him in the future.
- Firm client receives a four hundred and seventy thousand dollar verdict in a “minor property damage case.”
- Partner Bill Davoren recently obtained a multiple six figure verdict in what was characterized as a minor property damage case. The case involved a thirty-seven year old car salesman who was rear-ended on Interstate 95. The accident caused our client to suffer permanent injuries to his neck and back and substantially impaired his ability to earn a living.The case was tried to a jury in November, 2012 because the defendants refused to accept responsibility either for the accident or our client’s injuries. Instead, defendants claimed that our client stopped short and that the impact was not sufficient to cause the injuries that he was alleging. Prior to trial, the defendants’ highest offer was twenty-five thousand dollars.After hearing evidence from multiple doctors, including a physician hired by the defendants to conduct an independent medical examination, the jury rejected defendants’ contentions and returned a four hundred and seventy thousand dollar verdict. The verdict was increased by almost sixty thousand dollars in “offer of compromise” interest, for a final judgment in the amount of five hundred twenty-seven thousand dollars, six hundred and eighty-five dollars.As a result of this verdict, our client recovered his medical bills and past lost wages, and he received compensation for his future medical bills, pain, suffering and loss of life’s enjoyment.
- Rear-end Car Accident Resolves for Six-Figures
- Partner Bill Davoren obtained a three hundred and ten thousand dollar settlement in a case involving a rear end collision where the defenant refused to accept responsibility for her careless conduct and the injuries that she caused. In fact, the defendant persisted in arguing that the accident was “unavoidable,” that our client’s injuries pre-existed the accident, and that he was not going to require surgery.The firm overcame these defenses when Attorney Davoren obtained critical admissions from the defendant and her defense medical examiner on the eve of trial. The settlement allows our client to obtain all necessary medical treatment to address his pain, suffering, and impairment of activities of daily living.
- Firm Obtains Policy Limit Settlements for Client with Traumatic Brain Injury
- Partner Bill Davoren recently obtained six-figure settlement in a case involving an accident caused by a distracted driver who ignored a red traffic light and crashed into our client’s vehicle. Unfortunately, the accident caused our client substantial permanent injuries and impaired his ability to earn a living.The firm brought claims against the negligent driver and our client’s own insurance company because the careless driver did not carry sufficient coverage to fully address the losses he sustained in the accident. Both defendants attempted to avoid responsibility by claiming that our client was exaggerating his injuries. These defenses were defeated when the firm presented quality of life testimony from friends, family members, co-workers, and our client’s employer.
- Recovery for Fatal Fall
- Partner Bill Davoren recently obtained a seven figure settlement for the estate of an elderly client and his surviving spouse. The case arose out of the partial obstruction of the entrance to the couple’s apartment complex, causing an elderly man to fall.Through the firm’s diligent investigation, it discovered that the defendant failed to follow industry standards, company policies, and legal obligations when it partially blocked the path to the apartment entrance. As a result of this negligence, the firm’s elderly client tripped and fell, sustaining serious injuries that ultimately caused his premature death.Although any recovery could not fully compensate our client’s spouse for her loss, the firm’s seven figure recovery compensated our client’s family for expenses incurred for necessary medical treatment and ensured that his family will be financially comfortable in the future. The recovery also compensated the victim’s spouse for having to witness her husband’s injuries and for her losses occasioned by her husband’s untimely death.
- Firm Obtains Arbitration Award and Substantial Settlement in Two Hotly Contested Personal Injury Cases
- Partner Bill Davoren recently arbitrated a case against our client’s under-insured motorist carrier and achieved a substantial six-figure award. Our client was walking on a sidewalk when the driver turned into the driveway apron and collided with her body. Our client was pulled up onto the defendant’s car’s hood and then thrown to the ground, where she sustained fractures to her back and knee.As a result of the driver’s negligence, our client required rehabilitation in a nursing home, physical therapy, and injections. She was left with impairments to her activities of daily living. The defendant aggressively defended the negligent driver, initially even falsely claiming that our client was faking her injury, despite x-rays and other proof of injuries that required immediate hospitalization and medical treatment.The award achieved on behalf of our client compensated her for her past and future medical treatment, physical therapy, other out-of-pocket expenses, and the significant pain and suffering that was experienced and continues to be endured by our client.And in another hotly contested personal injury case, Bill Davoren obtained a $300,000 settlement arising from a motor vehicle accident in which the defendant’s automobile crossed over a double yellow line and crashed into our client, a 39 year-old mother of two. The accident caused our client substantial injuries to her neck, hip, arm, wrist and hand. The insurance company defending the other driver initially claimed that our client herself had crossed the double yellow line and caused the accident.
The firm’s investigation refuted the defendant’s claims, proving through witness statements, photographs, and 911 call recordings that the defendant, and not our client, had caused the accident. Upon the presentation of irrefutable evidence undermining the defendant’s contentions, his insurance company conceded that our client was not at fault and agreed to pay a settlement that compensated our client for past and future medical treatments and for the pain and suffered caused by the accident. Our client also was able to recover for the expenses she was forced to incur as a result of being unable to care for her children as a result of the injuries she suffered in the accident.
- Partner Bill Davoren recently arbitrated a case against our client’s under-insured motorist carrier and achieved a substantial six-figure award. Our client was walking on a sidewalk when the driver turned into the driveway apron and collided with her body. Our client was pulled up onto the defendant’s car’s hood and then thrown to the ground, where she sustained fractures to her back and knee.As a result of the driver’s negligence, our client required rehabilitation in a nursing home, physical therapy, and injections. She was left with impairments to her activities of daily living. The defendant aggressively defended the negligent driver, initially even falsely claiming that our client was faking her injury, despite x-rays and other proof of injuries that required immediate hospitalization and medical treatment.The award achieved on behalf of our client compensated her for her past and future medical treatment, physical therapy, other out-of-pocket expenses, and the significant pain and suffering that was experienced and continues to be endured by our client.And in another hotly contested personal injury case, Bill Davoren obtained a $300,000 settlement arising from a motor vehicle accident in which the defendant’s automobile crossed over a double yellow line and crashed into our client, a 39 year-old mother of two. The accident caused our client substantial injuries to her neck, hip, arm, wrist and hand. The insurance company defending the other driver initially claimed that our client herself had crossed the double yellow line and caused the accident.
- Distracted Driver Pays for Accident Caused By Cell Phone Use
- Partner Bill Davoren has secured a $300,000.00 settlement of a motor vehicle accident case. The action arose out of an incident in which the defendant crossed over double yellow lines and crashed into a police officer who was returning home from work. The settlement represented a significant increase above even our client’s initial settlement demand.The firm was able to maximize our client’s recovery by showing that the defendant’s dangerous conduct of using his cellular phone while driving was not just negligent but also reckless, creating a situation that was substantially likely to cause death or serious injury as a result of the driver inattentiveness. Notably, the defendant denied having used his cellular phone at the time of the accident. The firm, however, subpoenaed his records and was able to prove, through eye witness accounts and other records, that the defendant was on the phone for two minutes before the accident and that he continued talking for an additional two minutes after the collision.As a result of this case, the injured police officer recovered his past medical bills, payment for future surgical procedures, physical therapy, and medication, and he was compensated for the pain and suffering, loss of life’s enjoyment, and impairment of his ability to work as a police officer.
- Prompt $500,000 Settlement of Automobile-Pedestrian Accident
- Partner Bill Davoren recently secured a $500,000.00 settlement of a case in which the defendant’s automobile struck a pedestrian as she was attempting to cross the street at a cross walk. The accident caused the pedestrian substantial permanent injuries to her head, arm, and both legs. Although the defendant and his insurance company contended that our firm’s client was responsible for the accident, Attorney Davoren nonetheless was successful in obtaining a settlement for the entire insurance policy proceeds well in advance of trial.The firm proved to the insurance company that, despite the defendant’s assertions to the contrary, the cause of the accident was the defendant’s inattentive driving. As a result of this case, the injured pedestrian recovered her past medical bills, received payment for future medical bills, pain medication, and assistive devices, and was compensated for the pain and suffering, loss of life’s enjoyment and permanent impairment of her daily activities.
- Firm Recovers $465,000 for Car Accident Victim
- Partner Bill Davoren secured a $465,000 settlement of a personal injury case involving a motor vehicle collision. The accident occurred when an automobile in which the firm’s client was driving was struck as she attempted to make a left turn. As a result of the accident, our client suffered substantial permanent injuries to her neck and back.Attorney Davoren argued that the accident occurred because the defendant was late for school, was inattentive to traffic conditions, and failed to stop at a red traffic light. The defendant contested these allegations and claimed that the victim’s injuries pre-dated the motor vehicle accident.The firm conducted a video-taped taped deposition which we used to establish that the defendant was reckless. By virtue of the settlement, our client recovered sums to cover her past and future medical bills and medications, assistive devices, and pain and suffering. She also recovered sums that enabled her to modify her home to accomodate the permanent impairments that resulted from her unfortunate accident.
- Firm Obtains $2.3 Million Settlement During Federal Personal Injury Trial
- Partner Steven Frederick, assisted by Bill Davoren and associate Richard Lewis, recently secured a $2.3 million settlement during a federal jury trial in Hartford. The case arose out of serious injuries suffered by a 4-year-old boy during a family vacation in the Cayman Islands. The boy was injured when a jet ski on which he was seated suddenly and accidentally started, traveled approximately 200 feet, and crashed at full speed into a rock jetty. As a result of the accident, the boy suffered numerous physical injuries, the most serious of which were to his brain.The firm argued that the accident occurred because the defendants, who owned and operated a well-known resort and water sports concession, intentionally disengaged the jet ski’s safety mechanisms so that it could start simply by pushing a green button on the handlebars. Knowing that they disengaged the safety mechanisms, the defendants then permitted the boy’s father to allow his young son to play on the jet ski for an extended period of time – without ever warning of the hidden dangers that the vehicle posed.The case was settled in the beginning of 2006, after being litigated for approximately 7 years. Prior to bringing the case to trial, the firm successfully defeated the defendants’ numerous motions attacking the federal court’s jurisdiction over them, attacking the legal and factual validity of the boy’s claims, and attempting to limit the damages available to the boy. As a result of this case, the boy’s future is secure and the defendants have changed their practices at their watersports’ concession so this unfortunate accident cannot happen again.
Speaking Engagements
- How to Handle a Personal Injury Case, Complaint Through Jury Selection, 2010
- Minor Impact Soft Tissue Personal Injury Cases, Settling the Smaller Personal Injury Cases, 2006
- Privacy for Providers of Physical Therapy Services, HIPPA, 2004
Community Involvement
- Knights of Columbus, St. John XXIII Council, 2009– Present
- Past Grand Knight
- St. Jude’s Roman Catholic Church, Trustee, Parish Pastoral Council, Reader