Fatal collision
Settlement: $5,396,200
Three women were killed and two children injured when a
speeding ICE vehicle collided with a van that ran a stop sign (Contreras v.
United States of America, Southern District Federal Court, Plaintiff's
attorney: Norman M. Olney).
Securities
Settlement: $7,250,000
The West Palm Beach Police Pension Fund filed a class action
alleging false and misleading violations of the federal securities laws (West
Palm Beach Police Pension Fund v. CardioNet Inc., San Diego County Superior
Court, Plaintiff's attorney: David R. Scott).
Boating accident
Verdict: $5,991,387
A passenger in a boat was ejected and sustained brain damage
after the intoxicated operator of the boat ran into a low-lying island (Koopen
v. Aberle, Alameda County Superior Court, Plaintiff's attorney: Christopher
Appleton).
Pedestrian
Settlement: $4,075,000
A pedestrian crossing in a crosswalk sustained multiple
severe injuries when she was struck by a CHP vehicle and thrown 15 feet into
the air (Confidential v. State of California, Kern County Superior Court,
Plaintiff's attorney: Wayne McClean).
Wrongful termination
Verdict: $1,298,579
A Los Angeles police officer claimed he was wrongfully
terminated for filing a Charge of Retaliation and suing the City of Burbank for
FEHA violations (Taylor v. City of Burbank, Los Angeles County Superior Court,
Plaintiff's attorney: Gregory W. Smith).
Big rig
Verdict: $4,681,969
A driver on I-580 was injured when he was rear-ended by a
tractor-trailer that attempted to flee the scene (Zuniga v. Carroll Fulmer
Logistics Corporation, Alameda County Superior Court, Plaintiff's attorney:
Hunter Pyle).
Civil rights
Verdict: $6,000,000
A citizen alleged that Los Angeles County deputies subjected
him to excessive force and threats of great bodily injury in the course of a
false arrest (Dirks v. Martinez, Central District Federal Court, Plaintiff's
attorney: Glen T. Jonas).
Molestation
Verdict: $4,025,000
Two elementary school girls claimed ongoing sexual
molestation by their PE coach (Confidential v. Mehrdadi, Sacramento County
Superior Court, Plaintiff's attorney: Gigi Knudtson).
Disability discrimination
Arbitration: $739,887
A car salesman who was legally blind (20/200) performed his
job satisfactorily with the accommodation of a porter who brought cars to test
drivers but was terminated after an eye infection caused a leave of absence,
despite a doctor's note releasing him to return to work (Vo v. Valley Dodge
Inc., Los Angeles County Superior Court, Plaintiff's attorney: Laura L.
Horton).
Drunk driver
Settlement: $1,000,000
A drunk driver, in the course and scope of his employment,
ran a red light and collided with a 21-year-old driver, resulting in her death
(Confidential v. Confidential, Santa Clara County Superior Court, Plaintiff's
attorney: Douglas L. Gordon).
Editor’s Note: California Bar Journal publishes this abbreviated summary of important trials in California provided by Trials Digest. To report your case results, go to west.thomson.com/trialsdigest/form.aspx or call 415-344-3952.