Tiffany Cathel v. Christian Leigh Duncan
Published: Nov. 2, 2004 | Result Date: Aug. 9, 2004 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: 03C02918 Verdict – $3,000
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Ralph N. Steiger
(medical)
Daphna Slonim
(medical)
Defendant
Michael J. Akerson
(technical)
Facts
On Aug. 16, 2001, the plaintiff Tiffany Cathel, a 32-year-old office assistant, was driving her 1990 Honda Accord north on Barranca Avenue in Covina, near the intersection with Cypress Street, when she was rear-ended by a 2000 Ford F-150 truck driven by the defendant. The plaintiff sued the defendant for negligence. The defendant argued that while driving behind the plaintiff, he glanced to his side momentarily and that when he looked back, the plaintiff had stopped at a light. The defendant admitted negligence but disputed the nature and the extent of the plaintiff's injuries.
Settlement Discussions
The case had gone to a non-binding arbitration and the arbitrator had awarded the plaintiff $11,500. The defense rejected the award and the case proceeded to trial. Prior to trial, the plaintiff had demanded $9,999 and the defendant had offered $2,000.
Specials in Evidence
$8,000 $8,000
Damages
$2,000
Injuries
The plaintiff was taken by ambulance to an emergency room. An examination revealed some paraspinal muscle tenderness. She was given a medical collar and pain medication and was discharged for follow up with her personal physician. The next day, her doctor sent her for a CT scan of her head which was read as having a probability of swelling in the left brain. The plaintiff was diagnosed with lumbar sprain with radiculitis, cervical sprain, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder and swelling. She lost her job after her orthopedist gave her a two month off-work order.
Other Information
PLEASE PROVIDE THE NAME OF THE JUDGE ____________
Deliberation
six hours
Poll
12-0
Length
five days
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