Flooding

Verdict: $2,773,805

Homeowners association claimed poor drainage design caused flooding (Paseo Vista Homeowners Association v. Paseo Village Development LLC, Riverside County Superior Court, Plaintiff attorney: Robert J. Gilliland Jr.)

Gallbladder Surgery

Verdict: $369,611

Doctor allegedly mistakenly transected the common bile duct during gallbladder surgery  instead of the cystic duct (Reyes v. Eslami, Sacramento County Superior Court, Plaintiff attorney: Noel  M. Ferris).

iPod Distraction

Verdict: $1,030,265

Defendant admitted he was looking down at his iPod charger when he rear-ended plaintiff on the 405 freeway   (Griffin v. Johal, Los Angeles County Superior Court, Plaintiff attorney: Robert R. Clayton).

Sexual Harassment

Verdict: $1,250,000

Female worker alleged that defendant owner told her that she could get a raise if she performed a sexual act on him (Moran v. Shah, Riverside County Superior Court, Plaintiff attorney: Patrick McNicholas).

Foot RSD

Settlement: $700,000

Plaintiff  alleged he slipped and fell on walkway because an improper sealant became slippery in the rain; and he alleged reflex sympathetic dystrophy/complex regional pain syndrome in his left foot (Confidential v. Confidential, Santa Clara County Superior Court, Plaintiff attorney: Andrew C. Bryman).

Excessive Force Claim

Verdict: Defense

Defendant reportedly informed plaintiff that he was prohibited from bringing any liquid into the dining hall; plaintiff claimed excessive force when defendant attempted to enforce the no-liquid rule over a cup of coffee (Richardson v. Mendez, Eastern District Federal Court, Defense attorney: J. Randall Andrada).

Elder Abuse

Settlement: $779,000

Patient allegedly suffered dehydration and numerous other injuries during care at skilled nursing facility (Sanchez v. Milwood Healthcare Inc., Ventura County Superior Court, Plaintiff attorney: Jody C. Moore).

Orthodontic Suit

Verdict: Defense

Orthodontist's patient alleged malpractice caused tooth damage (Nicolas v. Goebel, Los Angeles County Superior Court, Defense attorney: N. Denise Taylor).

Thumb Amputation

Verdict: $114,488

Plaintiff claimed that defendant's dog bit her hand, ultimately leading to near-complete amputation of her right thumb requiring surgery and hardware (Downing v. Flores, Los Angeles County Superior Court, Plaintiff attorney: Delores A. Yarnall).

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.