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Personal Injury (Vehicular)
Automobile Accident
Intersectional Collision

Sandra Karlovich v. Anthony Lamothe

Published: May 25, 1996 | Result Date: Feb. 5, 1996 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: VC020238 –  $0

Judge

James M. Sutton Jr.

Court

L.A. Superior Norwalk


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Scott E. Mann
(Mann & Elias)


Defendant

Michael John Convey


Experts

Plaintiff

Francis J. Williams
(medical)

Defendant

Dennis R. Malkasian
(medical)

Facts

On September 2, 1993, the plaintiff, Sandra Karlovich, a 41-year-old longshoreman, stopped her vehicle at a red light in the number 2 lane of the Lincoln-Carson off-ramp on the northbound 605 freeway. The defendant, Anthony Lamothe, was driving his vehicle southbound on Pioneer. The plaintiff contended that the defendant ran a red light and was traveling at an excessive speed in an unfamiliar area and caused the accident and her injuries. The defendant contended that the plaintiff "jumped" the green light; entered the intersection before it was clear; and that the defendant entered the intersection on a yellow light. The defendant also claimed that the plaintiff's neck and back problems were caused by the degenerative aging process and her occupation as a longshoreman, not the accident. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendant based on negligence theories of recovery.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff made a settlement demand for $100,000 which was increased to $435,000 at trial. The defendant made a C.C.P. º998 offer of compromise for $30,001.99.

Specials in Evidence

$9,035 $37,000

Injuries

The plaintiff alleged that she sustained a 1 mm disc bulge at C5-6 and 2-3 mm bulges at L3-4 and L5-S1 requiring future cervical fusion surgery and a diskectomy procedure for her lumbar spine as a result of the accident.

Other Information

The verdict was reached approximately one year and five months after the case was filed. The defendant was awarded $16,541 for costs. The plaintiff's appeal was withdrawn and dismissed.

Deliberation

1 hour and 35 minutes

Poll

11-1 (liability)

Length

3 days


#109498

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