John B. Gates v. Inez Valdez, et al.
Published: Dec. 23, 1995 | Result Date: Nov. 13, 1995 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: GC009230 – $0
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior Pasadena
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Robert B. Charboneau
(Law Office of Robert B. Charboneau )
Experts
Plaintiff
Benjamin Chong
(medical)
Defendant
Neil Paul Rosenthal
(medical)
Paul C. Stimson
(technical)
Facts
In October, 1992, the plaintiff, John B. Gates, a 61-year-old unemployed former insurance adjuster, was operating his vehicle on a small Alhambra street. The plaintiff's vehicle was stopped when it was struck from behind by a vehicle operated by defendant, Inez Valdez.
Settlement Discussions
Per the defendant, the plaintiff demanded $65,000 which was reduced to $33,000 prior to trial; the defendant offered $20,000 which was reduced to $8,000 at the MSC. Per the plaintiff, the defendant did not make any offers prior to the MSC. Per the plaintiff, the defendants offer of $8,000 was the only offer made. In 1994, an arbitration award was entered by Karl W. Schoth in favor of the plaintiff for $19,828. The defendants requested a trial de novo which resulted in the within defense verdict.
Specials in Evidence
$6,700 were not claimed
Damages
$1,328 property damage
Other Information
The verdict was reached approximately 3 years and 2 months after the case was filed. The defendant introduced surveillance photographs taken 1+ months after the accident. The plaintiff could not recall when his symptoms began.
Deliberation
5 hours
Poll
10-2
Length
6 days
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