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

Janice Hunter v. Connie Lee Janney

Published: Dec. 13, 1997 | Result Date: Aug. 18, 1997 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: 206552 –  $0

Judge

William E. Geary

Court

Sonoma Superior


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Paul S. Silver


Defendant

Thomas Reed Sink


Experts

Plaintiff

Jack E. Miller
(medical)

Defendant

Floyd Fortuin
(medical)

Dan D. Layton
(technical)

Facts

On Dec. 31, 1992, plaintiff Janice Hunter, a 43-year-old dental assistant, was stopped while heading west on Guerneville Road in Santa Rosa. Defendant Connie Lee Janney rear-ended Diana Ahlemeier who then rear-ended plaintiff. The plaintiff brought this action against defendant based on a negligence theory of recovery.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff made a settlement demand for $50,000, later reduced to $14,000. The defendant made a C.C.P. º998 offer of compromise for $3,000.

Specials in Evidence

$7,281.51 not claimed $____________ for periodic clinical visits and medication in an undisclosed amount

Damages

The plaintiff asked for $50,000 in damages, later reduced to $14,000.

Injuries

The plaintiff claimed she suffered post traumatic concussion syndrome, cervical pain and radiculopathy and lumbar strain.

Other Information

The verdict was reached approximately three years (per plaintiff, four years) and six months after the case was filed. An arbitration was held on June 5, 1997, before Roger Thurrell, Esq. of Santa Rosa resulting in an award for plaintiff of $14,789.51. EXPERT TESTIMONY: The defendant's medical expert, Dr. Floyd Fortuin, testified that plaintiff suffered possible lumbar strain but her other symptoms were related to pre-accident medical conditions.

Deliberation

20 minutes (per defendant) 45 minutes (per plaintiff)

Poll

12-0

Length

four days


#113002

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