Facts

On Oct. 31, 2003 at around 4:30 p.m., plaintiff Lori White, 32, and defendant Daniel Kaestner were involved in a car accident in Sacramento. White was leaving a parking lot and turning left on Auburn Boulevard. Kaestner, also trying to make a left turn from the parking lot, struck White's car on the front driver's side panel. White filed suit against Kaestner and his vehicle's owner, VPSI Inc. for motor vehicle negligence.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
The plaintiff contended that defendant struck her after she was already in place to make a left turn for about one minute.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS:
Defendant Kaestner contended that plaintiff made a wide left turn from the number one lane and not from the left-turn lane, thus driving into his path.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff demanded $1,900,000. The defendants offered $475,000.

Damages

The plaintiff requested $3.14 million for past and future medicals, lost wages plus pain and suffering. This also included plaintiff's husband's consortium claim. The defendants contended that plaintiff's injuries existed prior to the accident and that the impact of the collision was too minimal to cause the claimed injuries. The defendants further argued that if causation was shown, the prior fusion surgery was an unnecessary procedure.

Injuries

The plaintiff claimed injuries, which included a herniated disc at C6-7, slap lesion tear, and rotator cuff tear. She had unsuccessful fusion surgeries and claimed her injuries were permanent. She also contended that future shoulder surgery would be required. Plaintiff's husband, Adam White, a 33-year-old carpenter, claimed loss of consortium.

Result

Defense verdict. The jury found liability but no causation as to plaintiff's injuries.

Other Information

The defendants' filed a motion for costs in the amount of $128,000.

Deliberation

2.5 hours

Poll

9-3

Length

10 days