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Personal Injury (Vehicular)
Auto v. Auto
Rear-End Collision

Neel Debone v. Meredith Leigh Silvia and Betty Silvia

Published: Dec. 6, 1997 | Result Date: Sep. 29, 1997 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: CIV168221 –  $0

Judge

William L. Peck

Court

Ventura Superior


Attorneys

Plaintiff

John H. Howard
(Lowthorp Richards McMillan Miller & Templeman)


Defendant

Donna D. Geck


Experts

Plaintiff

Alan M. Gross
(medical)

Edward L. Bennett M.A.
(technical)

Kurt Douglas Weiss
(technical)

Darryl R. Zengler M.A.
(technical)

Defendant

Terrence C. Honikman
(technical)

Myron Koch
(medical)

Facts

On Oct. 31, 1995, plaintiff Neel Debone, a 45-year-old college student, was driving on Telegraph Road near its intersection with Main Street in Ventura. Defendant, Meredith Leigh Silvia, age 16 at the time, was driving a vehicle owned by her mother, defendant Betty Silvia. The defendant rear-ended plaintiff's car, allegedly causing injury to plaintiff. The plaintiff brought this action against defendants based on a negligence theory of recovery.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff made a C.C.P. º998 settlement demand for $30,000. The defendants made a C.C.P. º998 offer of compromise for $6,001.

Specials in Evidence

$16,000 None $100,000

Injuries

The plaintiff alleged she suffered soft tissue injuries to her low back with disc herniation at L4-5 level including impingement of left nerve roots, resulting in constant back pain and occassional radiculopathy to her lower extremity.

Other Information

The verdict was reached approximately one year after the case was filed. An arbitration was held on July 28, 1997, before James Armstrong of the Law Offices of Armstrong & Armstrong resulting in an award of $5,392.70. The plaintiff requested a trial de novo. The jury found that defendants were negligent, but that the negligence did not cause any injuries to plaintiff. POST TRIAL MOTIONS: The plaintiff has filed a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict or a new trial.

Deliberation

1+ days

Poll

9-3

Length

four days


#112974

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