Facts

On Jan. 16, 2009, at 6 p.m., plaintiff Christina Burlison, 32, was walking across a crosswalk at Broadway and Sansome in the financial district of San Francisco, when a taxi-cab driven owned by defendant Desoto Cab and driven by defendant Peter Coryell, struck her down.

Plaintiff was ambulanced to San Francisco General Hospital, treated and released that night. Witnesses, including the cab's passenger, placed plaintiff in the crosswalk at the time of the collision.

Prior to trial, defendant stipulated to liability.

Settlement Discussions

Plaintiff demanded $500,000. Defendants offered $250,000, increased to $350,000 after closing arguments.

Specials in Evidence

$80,000 $20,000

Damages

At trial, defendants argued that plaintiff's total damages should be between $100,000 and $200,000. The plaintiffs economic damages, which plaintiff said were undisputed, were $100,000. $80,000 in medical specials and $20,000 for wage loss.

Injuries

Plaintiff's injuries, which were not all immediately diagnosed, included a tailbone injury, labral tear in her right hip, injury to the buttock, nerve damage radiating from her lower back to her legs, back and neck pain and soreness and bruising all over her body. Her injuries mostly resolved through various treatments except for persistent chronic hip pain. Approximately two years after the collision, plaintiff had a hip surgery to repair a torn hip labrum, which defendant contended was not caused by the collision.

Result

The jury awarded plaintiff $800,000.

Other Information

Plaintiff and defendants resolved all post-trial issues, costs, interest, and appeal rights in exchange for a stipulated judgment in the amount of $850,000. INSURER: Mercury Insurance.

Deliberation

two days

Poll

11-1

Length

one week