Top Rated Personal Injury Attorney in Roseville, MN

Honors/Awards:

• Top 10 Personal Injury Attorneys in Minnesota, National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys, 2013, 2014
• 10.0 “Superb” rating by Avvo, the American Registry, 2011-2018
• Minnesota Rising Star, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011
• Super Lawyers, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

• Named to Minnesota's Best Lawyers, Minnesota Monthly, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

• Named to Best Lawyers® in America 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
• Lifetime Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a National recognition exclusively for Trial Lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional skill, experience and excellence in Advocacy by achieving a trial verdict, award or settlement in the amount of $1 Million or more.

Bar/Professional Activity:

• Special Panel of Arbitrators for Auto Glass Claims, American Arbitration Association, 2010-Present
• Minnesota No-Fault Arbitration Standing Committee, 2016-Present
• Second District Ethics Committee, Member and Investigator, 2009-2015
• United States District Court, District of Minnesota, 2003
• Panel of Qualified Neutrals for Minnesota No-Fault Disputes, American Arbitration Association, 2003-Present
• Minnesota Association for Justice
• State of Minnesota, 1998
• Ramsey County Bar Association
• Minnesota State Bar Association

Pro bono/Community Service:

• Volunteer member appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court to the No-Fault Arbitration Standing Committee, 2016-present
• Volunteer Investigator on the Second District Ethics Committee, 2009-2015
• Treasurer on the Board of the Mounds View High School Volleyball Booster Club, 2015-2017

Scholarly Lectures/Writings:

• Minnesota Rules of No-Fault Arbitration Procedures – Rules Most Often Forgotten, Misused, and Misunderstood [American Arbitration Association, Arbitrator Training Seminar, 2018]

• Understanding Minnesota Automobile Insurance – Having Good Coverage & What to Know After an Accident, self published, 2015

• Panelist [Advanced No-Fault Seminar, 2016]

• Course Chair and Moderator [No-Fault Arbitration Seminar, 2008]
• Designing and Serving the Summons & Complaint - Effectuating Service of Process in Personal Injury Cases [From Signing Up the Case to Moving it to Trial, 2008]
• Dram Shop Law As it Applies to Private Clubs [Dram Shop Seminar, 2007]
• Pierringer Releases [Releases Deskbook Seminar, 2006]
• No-Fault Arbitration Case Law Update [No-Fault Arbitrations Seminar, 2006]
• No-Fault Benefits & Work Comp [Handling the Auto Accident Case Seminar, 2005]
• Statements Under Oath [Dealing with the Good Hands People, 2005]
• New No-Fault Developments [Mid-Winter Meeting, 2005]
• No-Fault Panel Case Law Update [Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association Convention, 2005]
• What Are Damages [Enhancing Damages Seminar, 2005]
• No-Fault Benefits in a Work-Comp/Automobile Accident Case [Auto Accident Cases, 2005]
• Using Technology to Make Your Case [Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association Convention, 2005]
• No-Fault Benefits & Work Comp [Handling the Auto Accident Case Seminar, 2004]
• No-Fault Panel Case Law Update [Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association Convention, 2004]
• Once the Petition is Filed [Effectively Handling NF Arbitrations, 2004]
• Winning No-Fault Arbitration Exhibit Books [Handling Car Crash Cases, 2002]
• No-Fault Panel Case Law Update [Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association Convention, 2002]
• Effectuating Service of Process in Personal Injury Cases, Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association (MTLA) quarterly magazine, Winter 2004.
• Once the Petition is Filed [Getting the Upper Hand in No-Fault Arbitrations, 2002]

Verdicts/Settlements:

• Numerous other Success Stories available on Denise's website.
• CAR CRASH CAUSED FLOATERS IN MAN'S EYE -  Denise Fullerton obtained a $330,000 settlement for a man that suffered injury to his eye from a car crash. A 54 year old man was injured in a moderate impact rear-end collision in freeway slow-down traffic. The day after the collision, he noticed a floater in his right eye. The floaters increased, and examination revealed lattice degeneration of the retina and a posterior vitreous detachment in his right eye. He then developed a haze in his right eye. A retinal hole was detected at the edge of his lattice degeneration. A vitreoretinal specialist diagnosed superior retinal flap tear, lattice degeneration, and vitreous opacities. He underwent laser photocoagulation to repair the tear and lattice degeneration. The floaters and blurred vision continued, so he underwent vitrectomy. Within six months of this procedure, he developed an early cataract in his right eye, and his vision was 20/40 at best, even with correction. He underwent cataract surgery and posterior chamber lens implant in his right eye. Following this surgery, he was ansiometropic (one eye nearsighted, and one farsighted) and could not wear glasses to correct his vision. He was also suffering residual mydriasis (excessive dilation of the pupil), causing glare and light sensitivity. Uneven eyebrows exacerbated the nerves’ response to the light sensitivity and atonic pupil. He was fitted with peripherally tinted lens on the right side to reduce the glare and halo, and also the asymmetry between the pupils. The lenses did not correct the problem, so he underwent natural lens removal with implantation of an intraocular lens of his left eye to even out the refractions. Due to continued glare, he had a brow lift to even out the eyes’ response to light. He was again fit with peripherally tinted lens on the right side to reduce some of the glare and halo and also the asymmetry between the pupils. He is expected to wear these special lenses the remainder of his life, which need to be replaced annually. The difference between the size of his pupils is apparent, and draws unwanted attention. Prior to this collision, he worked for an airline, and was at times required to use a 10 power magnifier to verify parts. While the eye injury affected his work activities, he did not suffer lost earnings other than to attend medical appointments. Medical expenses were approximately $40,000. Liability and causation were undisputed. The settlement represents $250,000 from the underlying carrier, and $80,000 from his underinsured motorist carrier.
• $1.19 MILLION FOR BRAIN INJURED TEEN.  Tragedy struck a small town family when a 17 year old boy was severely injured in a car crash on a rural highway.  He was riding with a friend, on their way to technical school.  The driver barely slowed for a stop sign before crossing over a rural through highway.  The large dump truck that was traveling on the highway was unable to stop or avoid impact.  The truck careened into the car, pushing it nearly 300 feet, and itself leaving nearly 150 feet of skid.  The driver of the car was killed.  The 17 year old passenger sustained a severe brain injury and other internal injuries.  He was in a coma for nearly a month, and developed spasticity which led to disabling spastic quadriplegia.  Nearly two years after the crash, he was still unable to walk or talk, and required 24/7 care for all needs.  The driver of his car carried only $50,000 in liability coverage.  The family owned a $100,000 underinsured motorist policy, and a $40,000 personal injury protection policy.  These coverages were massively insufficient, particularly when considering his medical expenses in the first two years were near $1.5 Million, most of it paid by the family's ERISA health insurance policy.  Denise Fullerton had an accident reconstruction done, which alleged that the truck had been exceeding the speed limit by at least 5 mph.  According to the reconstruction report, had the truck been traveling the lawful speed limit, the vehicles would have missed impact by 2 feet.  On this thread of liability, Denise was able to secure another $1 Million in coverage from the truck company.  She then resolved the ERISA lien for approximately $4,600 on a full release.  In this tragic situation, Denise was able to secure considerable compensation in a manner that allowed the family to make use of the funds for their son's benefit, while still keeping intact their necessary health care coverage.

Educational Background:

• Cum Laude Honors graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College, 1993