Brain damage
Verdict: $11,876,656
A 41-year-old teacher sustained severe brain damage when a
corner iron securing empty crates on a tractor-trailer came off and flew
through her windows, striking her head (Reyes v. Lion Raisins Inc., Fresno
County Superior Court, Plaintiff's attorney: Richard C. Watters).
Stroke
Verdict: $22,014,384
A migraine patient suffered a series of strokes following a
cerebral angiogram, which was deemed unnecessary (Frankel v. Palo Alto
Foundation Medical Group Inc., Santa Clara County Superior Court, Plaintiff's
attorney: Jeffrey S. Mitchell).
Leg amputation
Verdict: Defense
A 14-year-old boy who injured his foot and ankle in an ATV
accident alleged that negligent medical care resulted in the need for a
below-the-knee amputation (Flores v. Santoro, Riverside County Superior Court,
Defense attorney: Daniel S. Belsky).
Driver jumps curb
Settlement: $2,075,000
A driver attempting to park in front of a store drove over
the sidewalk curb, severely injuring a 26-year-old store clerk passing by
(Schmidt v. Confidential, San Mateo County Superior Court, Plaintiff's
attorney: Bradley R. Bowles).
Pedestrian killed
Settlement: $2,000,000
A mother of four was struck and killed while crossing the
street in a crosswalk (Tawfik v. Castellon, Los Angeles County Superior Court,
Plaintiff's attorney Bradley I. Kramer).
Passenger death
Verdict: $17,000,000
A prospective passenger was killed while attempting to board
a Blue Line train (Cuthbertson v. Los Angeles County Metropolitan
Transportation Authority, Los Angeles County Superior Court, Plaintiff's
attorney: Robert J. Stoll Jr.).
Debris in roadway
Verdict: $12,286,679
A driver sustained a traumatic brain injury when he struck a
wheel assembly that had fallen off a tractor-trailer on the interstate (Burin
v. Hall, San Diego County Superior Court, Plaintiff's attorney: Robert
Hamparyan).
Patient fall
Verdict: Defense
An 85-year-old patient at an assisted living facility
claimed that her hip injury sustained in a fall was negligently diagnosed and
treated (Rose v. Windsor Terrace Healthcare, Los Angeles County Superior Court,
Defense attorney: Stephen L. Hewitt).
Car fire
Verdict: $2,736,541
A 2005 Chevrolet Corvette ignited while parked in a family
home and destroyed the entire 5,300 square foot residence (Boekamp v. General
Motors LLC, San Diego County Superior Court, Plaintiff's attorney: Ali
Parvaneh).
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.