Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs
Kevin F. Quinn
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2007 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
As a defensive back on the West Point football team, Kevin Quinn never failed to offer opposing runners a hand up after he had knocked them down. Such sportsmanlike conduct has carried over to Kevin’s career as a trial lawyer. Today, many cases he handles result from referrals from attorneys that he has bested in the courtroom.
Kevin came to California as a result of a shoulder injury incurred while playing football as a defensive back for the United States Military Academy at West Point. His injury was so serious he was honorably discharged from the army.
Picking up from his studies at West Point, Kevin entered SDSU as a political science major and an engineering minor. While working full time Kevin eventually graduated with honors. Next Kevin brought his characteristic intensity to his studies at California Western School of Law, graduating magna cum laude and having served as a member of the Law Review in 1982. Admitted to practice that year, Kevin then attended Hastings College of Advocacy to refine his skills in his newly chosen focus as a trial lawyer. And try cases he has, with distinction and great results. It was Kevin's client who in 1993 won the first settlement against Shiley heart valves.
His pioneering victory in the Shiley case is overshadowed only by his satisfaction with the outcome of an earlier, smaller case which initiated an amazing chain of events outside of the courtroom that eventually touched the lives of dozens of Mexican children.
In 1986 Antonio Rivera came to Kevin for help after being severely burned in a roofing accident. He had been working on an apartment building when a tar boiler exploded, leaving him burned and crippled.
Antonio’s case was finally settled in 1987 and he received over $350,000.00 for his injuries. In January 1988 Antonio returned unannounced to the firm and asked to see Kevin.
Antonio was so overwhelmed with gratitude that he wanted to give back some of his money in a way that would do the most good for others. He presented Kevin with a check for $10,000.00 and asked him to put it to good use.
The result was the restoration of the Emilio Zapata School and Orphanage. Antonio’s money, and the labor of partners at the firm working with volunteers from the Navy and the Marine Corps, essentially rebuilt and modernized the 42-child facility near Rosarito Beach, Mexico.
Kevin has earned his distinguished reputation by taking tough cases other lawyers avoid to trial. And winning them. The same intensity and tenacity that made him a starter on the West Point team have carried over into a successful career as a partner at Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire where he has become known for both his passion and innovative trial exhibits. In 1998 Kevin received an Outstanding Trial lawyer Award for one of the first elder abuse death cases tried under a newly enacted state law.
The following year Kevin was honored by his peers with the Trial Lawyer of the Year Award from the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego for his work on four cases -- Hildebrand v. Donaldson, Bonillas v. Kaiser, Pancoast v. LeWinn, M.D. and Cooper v. Kaiser.
Kevin was in New York on another case on September 11, 2001 and witnessed the destruction of the World Trade Center first hand. What he saw led him to be among the first to volunteer as a pro-bono representative for the families of those who were killed. In 2004 he and his staff obtained over $5,000,000.00 in compensation from the 9/11 Victim’s Fund Special Master for the family of David Berray who was killed when the North Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed.
2004 and 2005 brought Kevin more accolades. First he was admitted to the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Following that he received another Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award for his work on behalf of an injured US Navy SEAL candidate in Roberts. v. Council. In 2006 Kevin's outstanding body of work as a personal injury lawyer earned him recognition in Woodward White's book "Best Lawyers in America." in the Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury and Product Liability categories.
Kevin’s interests in the law are diverse. He practices in a wide range of areas including products liability, medical malpractice and personal injury. His courtroom style matches his life — full speed, no excuses, get it done.
Kevin came to California as a result of a shoulder injury incurred while playing football as a defensive back for the United States Military Academy at West Point. His injury was so serious he was honorably discharged from the army.
Picking up from his studies at West Point, Kevin entered SDSU as a political science major and an engineering minor. While working full time Kevin eventually graduated with honors. Next Kevin brought his characteristic intensity to his studies at California Western School of Law, graduating magna cum laude and having served as a member of the Law Review in 1982. Admitted to practice that year, Kevin then attended Hastings College of Advocacy to refine his skills in his newly chosen focus as a trial lawyer. And try cases he has, with distinction and great results. It was Kevin's client who in 1993 won the first settlement against Shiley heart valves.
His pioneering victory in the Shiley case is overshadowed only by his satisfaction with the outcome of an earlier, smaller case which initiated an amazing chain of events outside of the courtroom that eventually touched the lives of dozens of Mexican children.
In 1986 Antonio Rivera came to Kevin for help after being severely burned in a roofing accident. He had been working on an apartment building when a tar boiler exploded, leaving him burned and crippled.
Antonio’s case was finally settled in 1987 and he received over $350,000.00 for his injuries. In January 1988 Antonio returned unannounced to the firm and asked to see Kevin.
Antonio was so overwhelmed with gratitude that he wanted to give back some of his money in a way that would do the most good for others. He presented Kevin with a check for $10,000.00 and asked him to put it to good use.
The result was the restoration of the Emilio Zapata School and Orphanage. Antonio’s money, and the labor of partners at the firm working with volunteers from the Navy and the Marine Corps, essentially rebuilt and modernized the 42-child facility near Rosarito Beach, Mexico.
Kevin has earned his distinguished reputation by taking tough cases other lawyers avoid to trial. And winning them. The same intensity and tenacity that made him a starter on the West Point team have carried over into a successful career as a partner at Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire where he has become known for both his passion and innovative trial exhibits. In 1998 Kevin received an Outstanding Trial lawyer Award for one of the first elder abuse death cases tried under a newly enacted state law.
The following year Kevin was honored by his peers with the Trial Lawyer of the Year Award from the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego for his work on four cases -- Hildebrand v. Donaldson, Bonillas v. Kaiser, Pancoast v. LeWinn, M.D. and Cooper v. Kaiser.
Kevin was in New York on another case on September 11, 2001 and witnessed the destruction of the World Trade Center first hand. What he saw led him to be among the first to volunteer as a pro-bono representative for the families of those who were killed. In 2004 he and his staff obtained over $5,000,000.00 in compensation from the 9/11 Victim’s Fund Special Master for the family of David Berray who was killed when the North Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed.
2004 and 2005 brought Kevin more accolades. First he was admitted to the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Following that he received another Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award for his work on behalf of an injured US Navy SEAL candidate in Roberts. v. Council. In 2006 Kevin's outstanding body of work as a personal injury lawyer earned him recognition in Woodward White's book "Best Lawyers in America." in the Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury and Product Liability categories.
Kevin’s interests in the law are diverse. He practices in a wide range of areas including products liability, medical malpractice and personal injury. His courtroom style matches his life — full speed, no excuses, get it done.
Overview
- California Western School of Law, J.D., graduated 1982
- California, The State Bar of California
- California, The State Bar of California
- California Western School of Law, J.D., graduated 1982
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs, San Diego (2024)
- Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, San Diego (2023)
- Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, San Diego (2022)
- Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, San Diego (2020)
- Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs, San Diego (2018)
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs, San Diego (2017)
- Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs, San Diego (2013)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs
- Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
- Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
- Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs
Additional Areas of Practice:
- Elder Law
- Medical Malpractice Law
- Personal Injury Litigation
- Product Liability Litigation
Special Focus:
- Automobile Collision
- Civil Litigation
- Insurance
- Medical Malpractice
- Product Liability
News & Media
Case History
Cases
- PIERSON V. FORD, et al.
Rollover accident involving a Ford van and the rock group Subtle that left the drummer a quadriplegic. The case involved multiple design failures including a faulty seat restraint system and roof crush standards. After a two week trial the jury awarded a verdict of $20,366,157.52.
- Roberts v. Council
A $6,687,192.00 jury verdict. An unsual case where a movie stuntman and SEAL team candidate was struck and maimed by a boat's propellor when the owner of the boat ignored or did not see the diver's flourescent bouy. Our client suffered massive, career ending head injuries. Partner Kevin Quinn was awarded an Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award by the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego for his victory on behalf of Mr. Roberts.
- Doe v. Roe Company & Moe Contractors
A settlement in excess of $14.5 million dollars for a personal injury case. Our client was providing construction related services in a building in downtown San Diego. The Defendant failed to provide properly odorized natural gas to the building resulting in a massive explosion in May, 2008. Our client suffered third degree burns to his face, head, arms, hands and upper body. The explosion occurred when a large amount of natural gas escaped into the building and since it was not odorized properly it accumulated undetected until presumably an electrical spark set it off.
- JASON WALCZAK and AMI WALCZAK v. JULIO C. VENTURA dba VENTURA TRUCKING
$3,000,000.00 settlement for a personal injury case involving a contract driver who was rendered quadriplegic when he was rear-ended by a tractor trailer rig.
- Hildebrand v. Karen Donaldson, MD & Desert Hospital
Tamara Hildebrand, Koles mother, brought Kole in to Desert Hospital to be evaluated for an elevated temperature (to 105 degrees); irritability and not eating. Dr. Donaldson believed this was due to a viral illness, prescribed Ibuprofen, and sent Kole home. Over the next four days, Kole continued to spike high fevers, despite the Ibuprofen. His temperature never fell below 101 degrees. For the next two weeks Kole continued to be seen by Dr. Donaldson, who eventually prescribed Prelone, a steroid. Eventually Kole developed seizures and was admitted to Loma Linda Medical Center with a diagnosis of acquired cerebral palsy. Plaintiff contended that the continued prescription of Prelone, a steroid, reduced the severity of the symptoms and masked the infection with in Koles system. As a result of this negligence, Koles infection went untreated and eventually developed into spinal meningitis causing brain damage, seizures and blindness. A complex case involving Desert Hospital and two doctors. One doctor settled for $600,000.00 before trial. Jury awarded economic damages of $2,750,000.00 and non-economic damages of $1,250,000 (reduced to $250,000 under MICRA) with a future economic value of approximately $20,000,000.00 (medical and wage loss).
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