Gloria Vasquez v. A.H. Belo Corporation
Published: Nov. 30, 2004 | Result Date: Jul. 19, 2004 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: RIC363750 Verdict – $45,525
Judge
Court
Riverside Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Glenn S. Goldby
(Ford, Walker, Haggerty & Behar)
Experts
Plaintiff
Chadwick E. Smith
(medical)
Jan H. Merman M.D.
(medical)
Defendant
Jack C. Debes
(technical)
Michael Einbund
(medical)
Kenneth L. Nudleman M.D.
(medical)
Facts
Gloria Vasquez, a 41-year-old homemaker, was driving her 1979 Mercedes. When she stopped at an intersection in Riverside, she was rear-ended by a Ford pick-up truck driven by an employee of A.H. Belo Corporation. Vasquez's Mercedes was totaled. It sustained $5,300 in damage. The truck sustained $900 in damage to its front end. Vasquez sued A.H. Belo for vehicular negligence. The defendant admitted liability at the time of trial. It disputed causation. The defendant also disputed the nature and extent of the plaintiff's injuries and damages. It contended that the accident was minor and the plaintiff only suffered soft-tissue injuries.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff demanded $400,000. The defendant offered $40,000 (arbitration award).
Specials in Evidence
$82,000
Damages
Pain and suffering.
Injuries
The plaintiff claimed injuries to her head, neck, right shoulder, lower back and right wrist. She had surgery on her lower back and wrist.
Result
$45,525
Other Information
Prior to trial, the parties participated in a non-binding arbitration. The arbitrator awarded $40,000 to the plaintiff. The plaintiff rejected the award and requested trial de novo.
Deliberation
1.5 days
Poll
9-3 (causation), 10-2 (past medicals), 9-3 (future medicals), 12-0 (past pain and suffering), 9-3 (future pain and suffering)
Length
six days
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