Confidential
Settlement – $340,000Judge
Court
Whitman Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Kent Schaffer
(technical)
Robert Veith
(medical)
Robert W. Moss
(technical)
Laura White
(medical)
Laura Brown
(medical)
Defendant
Ralph Reitan
(medical)
Gerald Rosenberg
(medical)
Facts
On Jan. 18, 1993, the plaintiff, a 19-year-old student, was driving westbound on Highway 26 in Whitman County, after a skiing trip. The defendant was driving eastbound on Highway 26 when he came upon an accident scene, a large truck-trailer parked on the eastbound side of the highway after colliding with a car. The trucker put out his warning triangles up to 100 feet behind his vehicle. The back of his truck was approximately two feet in the eastbound lane of travel as it was parked. Two Washington state patrol officers arrived to investigate the accident and turned on their flashing lights. The defendant approached this scene around a blind curve, he allegedlty lost control of his vehicle on a patch of black ice and his truck started to jack-knife. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendant based on negligence theories of recovery.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made an original settlement demand for $1.4 million reduced to $600,000. The defendant made a settlement offer of $225,000.
Specials in Evidence
$55,000
Injuries
The plaintiff alleged that he suffered a broken right foot, a broken right femur, a closed head injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Other Information
The settlement was reached approximately one year and two months after the case was filed (on the second day of trial).
For reprint rights or to order a copy of your photo:
Email
jeremy@reprintpros.com
for prices.
Direct dial: 949-702-5390