Facts

On May 21, 2013, at 9 a.m., defendant Doe was driving a 2008 Toyota Highlander SUV in an employee parking lot at Roe Hospital. Defendant Doe was employed by Roe Hospital and was parking her car prior to starting her workday. While looking for a parking spot, the defendant Doe's SUV struck plaintiff Rochelle Pikop.

Defendant Doe believes a cement pillar may have obstructed her view of plaintiff prior to impact and there were no speed bumps to slow traffic in the area of the incident although they did appear in other locations within the parking structure.

PLAINTIFFS' CONTENTIONS:
Defendant struck plaintiff causing her to suffer serious brain and other injuries. Roe Hospital directed defendant Doe to park in the parking structure although she was not required to park there. The parking structure is owned by Roe Hospital and is its designated employee parking structure.

Defendant Doe was previously required to use her vehicle in the course of her employment with Roe Hospital and, therefore, plaintiff claimed that Roe Hospital was vicariously liable to plaintiff and that the parking structure was dangerous for not having safety devices and warnings to slow traffic within the parking structure.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS:
Roe Hospital claimed defendant Doe no longer was required to use her vehicle in the course of her employment and that the parking structure was not dangerous.

Injuries

Plaintiff suffered a traumatic brain injury, multiple cerebral contusion, right-sided intracranial hemorrhage, and a concussion. She also sustained bilateral pelvic fracture, pubic symphysis fracture, sacral fracture, left acetabular right common femoral artery dissection, and pelvic hematoma mixed with extravasation. Plaintiff also claimed left wrist fracture, soft tissue contusions to scalp, and injuries to her left shoulder, left elbow, left wrist, left hip, and a one-centimeter laceration to her left forehead, and emotional distress.

Result

Plaintiffs settled for $3.3 million, which included $300,000 against Doe Driver and $3 million against Roe Hospital.

Other Information

MEDIATOR: Jay Horton. FILING DATE: Sept. 11, 2013.