Lisa Dorward v. William McKessy
Published: Oct. 3, 1998 | Result Date: Aug. 24, 1998 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: LC038385 Verdict – $92,500
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior Van Nuys
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Abram C. Zukor
(Zukor & Nelson)
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Harold B. Markowitz
(medical)
Defendant
Roderick D. Stroud
(technical)
Richard C. Rosenberg M.D.
(medical)
Facts
On March 2, 1995, at approximately 1 p.m., plaintiff Lisa Dorward, a 34-year-old director of treasury for Paramount, was traveling eastbound on Ventura Boulevard in the No. 1 lane in her 1987 Peugeot. She brought her vehicle to a controlled stop for a red traffic light at the intersection with Densmore and, after 10 to 15 seconds, was struck from behind by a pickup truck driven by William McKessy. The plaintiff was wearing her lap and shoulder safety restraints, but her car was struck with such force that it sustained $3,000 in damage. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendant based on a negligence theory of recovery.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made a settlement demand for $100,000 (policy limits). The defendant made a C.C.P. º998 offer of compromise for $13,001.
Specials in Evidence
$38,000 $60,000
Injuries
The plaintiff claimed she suffered soft tissue injury to her neck and low back and a lumbar laminectomy 13 months post-accident.
Other Information
The verdict was reached approximately three years and two months after the case was filed. EXPERT TESTIMONY: Defense expert Dr. Roderick Stroud testified that the impact was at 7 mph and was 2 G forces - the equivalent of a sneeze. Defense expert Dr. Richard Rosenberg testified that the herniated disc was not caused by this accident.
Deliberation
5-7 hours (varied reports)
Poll
10-2
Length
3-5 days (varied reports)
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