Confidential
Settlement – $625,000Judge
Court
L.A. Superior Glendale
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Richard L. Stone
(Jenner & Block LLP)
(medical)
Sam Salloum
(technical)
Russell J. Vergess
(medical)
Charles Aronberg
(medical)
Defendant
Norman Johnson
(technical)
Facts
On Aug. 9, 1996, plaintiff, a 48-year-old knit and crochet shop owner, was driving northbound on Tujunga Avenue. Defendant was driving a rental car southbound and made a left turn in front of plaintiff. Plaintiff swerved to avoid hitting defendant and crashed into a wall. The vehicles did not make contact. The plaintiff struck the steering wheel of her car (no air bags). A witness confirmed that plaintiff was wearing a shoulder harness seat belt. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendant based on a negligence theory of recovery.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made a settlement demand for $700,000. The defendant made an offer of compromise of $450,000.
Specials in Evidence
$77,000 $12,000 + $25,000
Injuries
The plaintiff claimed she suffered facial trauma including orbital blowout fractures and facial fractures and a fractured wrist. Three reconstructive surgeries were required with one possible surgery in the future, and residual cosmetic injuries.
Other Information
The settlement was reached approximately 11 months after the case was filed. A mediation was held two weeks before trial on Oct. 31, 1997, before William Burleson, crash settlement officer. Exhibits had been marked and exchanged, jury instructions submitted and a 10-day trial estimated.
Length
eight hours
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