John H. Gomez

San Diego

Practice: serious injury

Specialty: auto defects, brain injury, defective products

Gomez has had his share of headline-grabbing cases in recent years, including one that continues to hold the public's attention - the multi-district litigation against Toyota Motor Corp.

In an incident that spurred the largest recall in Toyota history, Gomez represented the surviving family members of state highway patrol officer Mark Saylor, who was killed, along with his wife, daughter and brother-in-law, when their loaner Lexus accelerated out of control on a San Diego freeway. Saylor v. Toyota Motor Corp., JCCP 4621, (Los Angeles Super. Ct.).

Gomez settled the family's claims against Toyota for $10 million, and the case continues against the dealership that loaned the family the vehicle.

"It had international coverage and was at the heart of the congressional hearings and the Toyota recall," Gomez said. "It's an important cases to us. It's taken up a significant amount of time."

Gomez said he has noticed a trend in personal injury cases.

"I believe that juries are less skeptical and cynical than they were before," he said, noting that two of his lawyers recently won a $12.5 million award in a traumatic injury case.

" ""I'm getting a sense that juries are getting better and understanding more. A lot of people, historically, think that every plaintiff is out to get a handout and don't deserve it. But I think that more and more juries are having empathy."

Big Matters

Gomez sued Pizza Hut after its delivery driver crossed into oncoming traffic and struck head-on an elderly mother and her daughter, seriously injuring them. Novak v. Pizza Hut Inc., 37-2009-00085596-CU-PA-CTL, (San Diego Super. Ct.).

Pizza Hut claimed its driver suffered a sudden and unanticipated seizure, and, under the sudden medical emergency doctrine, wasn't at fault. The jury disagreed and awarded a total of $10.8 million in damages.

said.Gomez also represents about 400 plaintiffs in cases pending in a coordinated proceeding in San Diego Superior Court, alleging that post-surgical cooling devices made by several manufacturers are defective and cause skin and nerve damage. Ball v. Breg Inc., 37-2010-00054993-CU-PL-NC, (San Diego Super. Ct.)The case is an example of a new direction for Gomez's firm.We built our reputation on trying individual cases to juries. Now, we're getting into mass torts."

- PAT BRODERICK