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CONFIDENTIAL

Nov. 28, 1998

Personal Injury
Auto v. Auto
Lane Change Collision

Confidential

Settlement –  $28,000

Judge

Philip H. Hickok

Philip H. Hickok

Court

L.A. Superior Norwalk


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Harry S. Lippman
(Lippman & Weisel)


Defendant

David B. Wasson
(Wasson & Associates Inc.)


Experts

Plaintiff

Lawrence May
(medical)

Defendant

Chris Donaghue
(technical)

Leonard LaCaze Jr.
(technical)

Robert M. Wilson M.D.
(medical)

Carley C. Ward
(technical)

Facts

On Dec. 13, 1995, plaintiff, a 39-year-old district attorney was driving southbound on Pacific Coast Highway in the No. 3 lane. The defendant made a lane change from the No. 2 lane into the No. 3 lane forcing the plaintiff to collide into the trailer attached to a city truck parked in the parking lane. The plaintiff was driving alone in a Ford Mustang. The defendant was driving a Range Rover. The plaintiff claimed the defendant fled the scene. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendant based on negligence.

Injuries

The plaintiff claimed soft tissue injuries to his neck and back.

Other Information

The settlement was reached approximately one year and 11 months after the case was filed. The case was arbitrated on Jan. 5, 1998, before Theodore Wolfberg. He awarded in favor of the plaintiff in the amount of $85,000. Judge William Birney presided over the mandatory settlement conference and evaluated the case to be worth $40,000. The plaintiff served the defendant with a C.C.P. º998 offer in the amount of $40,000. The defendant served a C.C.P. º998 offer in the amount of $15,000. The case settled at the final status conference.


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