Elisabeth Rudolph, et al. v. Mazda Motor of America, Inc., et al.
Published: Oct. 28, 1995 | Result Date: Aug. 2, 1995 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: 533602 – $0
Judge
Court
Sacramento Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Robert A. Buccola
(Dreyer, Babich, Buccola, Wood & Campora, LLP)
William C. Callaham
(Wilcoxen Callaham LLP)
Defendant
Patrick J. Becherer
(Becherer, Kannett & Schweitzer)
Experts
Plaintiff
Carley C. Ward
(technical)
Richard Allen Hille
(technical)
Dale D. Pletcher
(technical)
Carol R. Hyland M.A.
(technical)
Louis A. D'Aulerio
(technical)
Gregory Reiber
(medical)
Dean B. Tuft
(technical)
Stephen R. Syson
(technical)
Defendant
Kenneth F. Orlowski
(technical)
Lawrence Thibault
(technical)
Facts
On May 4, 1992, Paul Rudolph, a 39-year-old federal civil servant GS-9, was driving home from work in his 1991 Mazda 323 when, for unknown reasons, the vehicle left the road and ran head-on into a large tree. The driver's restraint system, manufactured by Defendant, used a motorized shoulder belt and a separate manual lap belt. Mr. Rudolph sustained multiple injuries to his chest and abdomen which resulted in his immediate death. Plaintiffs were the decedent's wife Elisabeth 40; and their 3 sons: Christopher 20, Daniel 15, and Joshua 11.
Settlement Discussions
Defendant contends it made no offer and Plaintiffs made a 998 demand of $1,000,000 (approximately one year before trial) increased to $2,500,000 (immediately before trial).
Specials in Evidence
$942,000 to $1,175,000. $942,000 to $1,175,000 $942,000 to $1,175,000
Injuries
Death of father/husband.
Other Information
This case was filed on May 3, 1993; two years and three months prior to this result.
Deliberation
5 days
Poll
9-3
Length
16 days
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