Cathie Reese, President of Geomatrix Productions, will be the guest speaker at the Central Connecticut Paralegal Association Dinner Meeting on Thursday, April 19 in East Windsor. She will offer insight into how Mediation, Arbitration and Settlement Programs are produced and how you can be a better liaison between attorney and production company.

“Today, the ring binder is being replaced by notebook computer during mediation,” says Cathie Reese.

“We have held many wringing hands during the stressful time leading to settlement conferences.” She is ready to share how to make the process pain-free at your law firm.

The presentation will explore the differences between Day in the Life videos designed for use as evidence at trial vs. Settlement Documentaries designed specifically for use in mediation and arbitration. We will cover the technical needs and content required to create effective and successful programs.

For reservations call Linda A. Rubes, Reid and Riege, PC at (860)240-1171 or email her at lrubes@rrlawpc.com

Video depositions have come a long way since VHS recording was the method of choice in the mid-70’s.

Video depositions are often used when a witness is unavailable for trial. Edited versions are played before the jury when the Court rules in advance on objections. But that’s only one reason for video recording depositions.

Recording your opponent’s expert witnesses gives you the opportunity to preserve their testimony before they have been fully prepared for trial.

With the advent of digital technology, the use of discovery deposition clips as an impeachment tool has changed the trial landscape dramatically.

Savvy litigators are able to call up contradictory testimony live at trial with just a few keystrokes. The impact of watching prior inconsistent testimony on the video screen is far greater to the jury and the witness than simply hearing it read from a transcript. It prevents people from hiding behind their words.

This is easily accomplished with synchronized video deposition. This simple process combines the video source and the text file from the court reporter on one disc. That disc will play in any computer and is searchable by page/line and keyword.

The Sync is also a valuable preparation tool as the video gives you the full picture. It allows you to evaluate the witness’s tone and body language in same way a jury would at trial. In addition, attorneys can easily make clips to review testimony with other witnesses, counsel or the judge.

The Day in the Life Documentary is an essential component of the personal injury lawsuit. There is no better way to illustrate damages than a well-produced video. The devastation brought upon a family when a catastrophic injury occurs should be captured soon after the incident.

When years pass, the life-changing event becomes almost commonplace to the family. A daily routine of acceptance sets in. A video should be recorded as soon as possible to document the painful process that both the plaintiff and the family go through as they learn to adjust to a new way of life. What is suppressed or forgotten comes through loud and clear when shown on video years later to the jury.

Some clients make a significant recovery and defense attorneys focus on the plaintiff’s life now. Preserving the recovery period, physical therapy and loss of daily activities gives the jury a full picture of your client’s pain and suffering during their recovery.

Still not convinced? Imagine the power of video of an above-the-knee amputee who struggles to stand for the first time on prosthetic legs, each step filled with fear and trepidation. Contrast that image with a well-adjusted plaintiff, one year later, who walks into the courtroom without a detectable limp. The verbal description from the witness stand about the 12 months of rehabilitation pales in comparison to the powerful impact of the video.

Geomatrix Productions produces Day in the Life Documentary videos to show juries the results of a catastrophic injury.

Video for use in litigation is not one size fits all.  At Geomatrix, we approach every video with the unique needs of the individual case in mind.  There are several line items we use in determining cost, including consultation, video recording and video editing time required to complete the objective we set out to achieve.

The following will help get you started in determining what will best suit your goals:

1.  Is the video for use at trial or will it be used for settlement negotiations?

This is a very important distinction.  Video prepared to trial must conform to the rules of evidence. However, video designed for use in settlement negotiations, though truthful, can be created with persuasion in mind.  Each requires a different mix of services and time.

2.  If it is a trial video, is it a Day in the Life documentary, or is it demonstrative evidence?

The Day in the Life documentary is a carefully prepared telling of the condition of the plaintiff at a given point in time.  It is generally recorded in one day and is well-crafted to tell the story and meet the rules of evidence.  Demonstrative evidence may include but is not limited to a simple recording of a therapy session, an actual or animated accident reconstruction or an interview.

3.  If it is a settlement video, will it cover liability as well as damages?

Compelling settlement videos can tell the entire story of the case from the incident forward, or just cover the damages. If liability is included, the video is more involved, often requiring a narrative to be drafted by the attorney, and turned into script format by Geomatrix.  Be prepared to tell us what type of material is available such as 911 recordings, accident photos and family photos, or if you think we will need to generate some evidence such as 3D animation.

At Geomatrix, we make the process very simple and base everything on your goals and objectives for the video, including video depositions.  For over 35 years, we have approached each new case as unique, understanding key messaging and nuances, while applying tried and true techniques.

The family of a 73-year-old man who was killed after getting hit in the head by a felled tree will collect $950,000 after settling their lawsuit against the tree company hired by the town of Simsbury, CT.

Attorney John Houlihan of RisCassi and Davis noted that initially the two sides were far apart on a dollar figure, but as he presented evidence about the life of his client, plaintiff George “Craig” Roselli, compromise came more easily.

He worked with Geomatrix Productions to produce a video settlement program.

According to Houlihan, “The impact of the video made a critical difference in our ability to settle the case for what we considered its value. It captured the vibrant life that this man enjoyed much more fully than a simple narrative could have.”  He continued, “When you have someone who’s very young or no longer a breadwinner, it’s important to demonstrate the dimensions of their life they got pleasure from. I think the [insurance] company was very receptive when they saw that.”

Working with Geomatrix, he determined that in addition to his family, a neighbor and traveling companion would be among those interviewed to paint a picture of his client’s life. According to Cathie Reese, President of Geomatrix, “By all accounts, he lived a very rich life. He had a box filled with Playbills from countless theatrical and orchestral performances in major cities.” She continued, “It was clear that his calendar was full and he had the plans and the fortitude to continue enjoying his life.”

The video was sent to the insurance carrier and Superior Court Judge Antonio C. Robaina prior to the mediation session. With the judge’s help, the two sides decided to settle for $950,000.

Due to the sensitive nature of legal videos we cannot share the Roselli video.  However, here is a settlement video produced by Geomatrix for Jack Mills, Esq. of New Haven with very successful results.

Michael A. D’Amico, Esq, of D’Amico, Griffin, and Pettinicchi, LLC talks about why he uses electronic evidence at trial.

“Any case that’s worth trying is worth a good presentation of evidence.”

Michael A. D’Amico, Esq, of D’Amico, Griffin, and Pettinicchi, LLC, discusses the benefits of presenting electronic media at trial. With electronic trial presentations, the only limit is your own imagination.

Michael A. D’Amico, Esq, of D’Amico, Griffin, and Pettinicchi, LLC explains how Geomatrix Productions takes the stress out of putting together a seamless electronic trial presentation.

Michael A. D’Amico, Esq, of D’Amico, Griffin, and Pettinicchi, LLC gives a brief case study of how he has used electronic evidence at trial.

Michael A. D’Amico, Esq, of D’Amico, Griffin, and Pettinicchi, LLC explains how to use a synched video deposition at trial.