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Trials Digest

 

Wrongful Death

Verdict: $60,000,000

Following a trial finding defendant guilty of murder in the first degree, his children alleged wrongful death and negligent infliction of emotional distress against defendant for the death of their mother (Reiser v. Reiser, Alameda County Superior Court, Plaintiff’s attorney: Arturo J. Gonzales).

Hostage Shooting

Settlement: $950,000

A custodian taken hostage during a domestic dispute was shot three times in his bicep, chest, and abdomen by an officer who thought he had a gun (Hernandez v. City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Superior Court, Plaintiff’s attorney: Steven B. Effres).

Brain Injury

Verdict: $7,456,231

A customer slipped on a wet floor, allegedly causing a traumatic brain injury (Zaccaglin v. Starbucks Coffee Company, San Diego County Superior Court, Plaintiff’s Attorney: John H. Gomez).

Inverse Condemnation

Settlement: $13,100,000

Residents allege their neighborhood was flooded when the levee of an irrigation canal overtopped and washed out during a large storm, causing a “taking” that entitled them to “just compensation” (Abarca v. Merced Irrigation District, Central District Federal Court, Plaintiff’s attorney: Mick Marderosian).

Electric Shock

Verdict: $1,720,021

A man conducting nighttime roadwork was electrocuted when he attempted to put out an electric fire caused by a crane striking a power line during a power outage (Ward v. State of California, San Bernardino County Superior Court, Plaintiff’s Attorney: James Alderson).

Hit-and-Run

Settlement: $3,250,000

A woman riding her bicycle was struck by a hit-and-run driver, resulting in a traumatic brain injury, permanent eye injury, fractured collar bone, and multiple abrasions (Jackson v. Schiro, Santa Clara County Superior Court, Plaintiff’s Attorney: Lewis Van Blois).

Faulty Gas Pump

Verdict: Defense

A woman alleged product liability after sustaining neurologic and orthopedic injuries when a retractor pole dislodged from the side of a gas pump, striking her (Murphy v. BP West Coast Products, San Diego County Superior Court, Defense Attorney: Robert W. Harrison).

Police Collision

Settlement: $6,600,000

A woman backing out of her car was hit by an LAPD cruiser driving at least twice the speed limit, without its headlights, emergency lights, or siren, resulting in her death (Lugo v. City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Superior Court, Plaintiff’s Attorney: Brian Panish).

Infant Injury

Settlement: $475,000

An infant dropped during delivery suffered brain damage, a skull fracture, and grand mal seizures (Segura v. Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, San Bernardino County Superior Court, Plaintiff’s Attorney: James F. Tierney III).

Drowning

Verdict: Defense

The family of a man who drowned after a ship collision while fishing alleged the coast guard to be negligent after the search was called off (Wade v. United States of America, Northern District Federal Court, Defense Attorney: Jeanne M. Franken).

Conspiracy

Verdict: Defense

A man alleged his family and friends assisted his wife in abducting their son and fleeing to India, claiming conspiracy and negligent infliction of emotional distress (Kulkarni v. Upasani, Orange County Superior Court, Defense attorney: Craig M. Nicholas).

Taser Death

Settlement: $1,300,000

The family of a man who died as a result of Taser shock when police responded to a 911 call alleged excessive force (Dang v. City of Garden Grove, Central District Federal Court, Plaintiff’s attorney: Sean Hennessey).

Editors 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.