Douglas Desjardins

Attorney Douglas P. Desjardins has tried numerous serious personal injury and wrongful death cases.  At Transportation Injury Law Group, his primary focus is on complex cases, as many of his clients have been in catastrophic aircraft or motor vehicle cases.  The cases he undertakes are intricate due to the fact that potential issues from the outset include choice of law, venue and form in which to file the action.

Liability issues are often complicated in the cases Mr. Desjardins handles.  Many significant disasters are caused by a number of different factors and parties.  In intricate liability cases, Mr. Desjardins supervises a team of experts to determine precisely what happened and who is responsible.

Damages issues may be complex in cases where liability is clear.  In cases with significant damages, Mr. Desjardins works with economists, vocational rehabilitationists, as well as his client's own medical professionals in order to document his client's loss.  To document elaborate damages cases, Mr. Desjardins often utilizes family photographs, letters and other personal materials and memorabilia from his clients in poignant PowerPoint presentations to adjusters or juries.  Once a case has been resolved with the parties at fault, some of his clients have difficult subrogation issues.  Mr. Desjardins' goal throughout the entire process is to see that his clients are compensated to the fullest extent of the law.

Education:

  • Juris Doctor, Case Western Reserve University School, 1993.
  • Bachelor of Arts, English, Davidson College, 1986.

Admissions:

  • State Court Admissions: District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Ohio
  • United States Federal District Court Admissions: District of Columbia, Maryland, Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania and Northern Ohio
  • Numerous other courts Pro Hac Vice - or for the limited practice for a specific case. 

Professional Activities:

  • American Bar Association (Litigation Section)
  • District of Columbia Bar Association (Personal Injury and Litigation Sections)
  • Member, American Association of Trial Lawyers
  • Member, Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
  • Member, Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association

Selected Reported Cases, Speeches and Presentations

  • Charles County Com'rs v. Johnson, --- A.2d ---, 2006 WL 1560742 (MD.,2006).
  • Garby v. George Washington University Hosp., 886 A. 2d 510, (D.C. Oct. 27, 2005).
  • "A lifetime in a wheelchair after a Sunday drive - Scriber c. General Motors: roof crush results in quadripledia; A case study in defective design litigation."  Presented to the Attorneys Information Exchange Group conference, Orlando, Florida, October 23, 2000.

Volunteer Experience:

  • United States Peace Corps, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire), 1987-1989.