Thomas Stephenson v. NEC Communications, et al.
Published: Mar. 29, 1997 | Result Date: Feb. 26, 1997 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: EC007644 – $0
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior Burbank
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Harry F. Scolinos
(Scolinos Sheldon & Nevell)
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Larry Landell
(medical)
John Amos
(medical)
Larry Mellinger
(medical)
John Hsieh
(medical)
Facts
On April 23, 1991, plaintiff Thomas Stephenson, a 50-year-old chief financial officer of Forrest Lawn, was driving a brand new company-owned Toyota Camry when he stopped to make a left turn into Forrest Lawn. The plaintiff's vehicle was rearended by a van owned by defendant NEC Communications and operated by its employee, Thomas Babineau. Babineau did not realize that the plaintiff's vehicle had stopped to make a left turn, and rearended the Camry at approximately 35 mph. The Camry was deemed a total loss. The plaintiff left the scene without any medical assistance. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendants based on negligence theories of recovery. The defendants admitted liability.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made a C.C.P. º998 settlement demand for $100,000. The defendants made a C.C.P. º998 offer of compromise for $60,001.
Specials in Evidence
$22,000
Injuries
The plaintiff underwent several MRI scans. Those of the neck proved positive with a 3 mm. central bulge pressing the spinal cord at C5-6. Additionally, an EMG of the left upper extremity proved mildly abnormal. The plaintiff claimed ongoing, significant numbness and pain in his left arm and continuing neck and mid-back pain with ongoing memory problems due to his alleged concussion.
Other Information
The verdict was reached approximately four years and 11 months after the case was filed. A settlement conference was held in 1996 before Judge Otero. It did not resolve the matter.
Deliberation
4 hours
Poll
9-3
Length
7 days
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