Facts

Plaintiff Maye Pittman, a 57-year-old medical technician, was traveling as a front passenger in a car stopped at a traffic light in Torrance when Peter Milazzo rear-ended the vehicle. Pittman sued Milazzo for negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
The plaintiff alleged Milazzo had admitted to being inattentive during the collision.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
Milazzo claimed he felt an impact when he stopped behind the vehicle plaintiff was riding in, and put the car in park in order to grab a cellular phone out of his bag. Milazzo's biomedical engineer, Peter Burkhard, testified that he could not determine whether Milazzo's vehicle was moving forward or whether Pittman's vehicle had rolled back.

Specials in Evidence

Pittman sought $8,185 in past medical costs and $200 for a shoe insole to correct her hip height difference. Pittman claimed to have lost $11,000 in lost wages, which was later withdrawn at trial.

Injuries

Pittman claimed to suffer from a neck sprain, as well as a mid and lower back sprain. She further contended the collision aggravated a preexisting compression fracture at T7 and that her right hip is 4 millimeters higher than her left. She claims she suffers ongoing pain affecting her daily activities, and suffers from insomnia.

Result

The jury found in favor of Milazzo.

Deliberation

one hour

Length

four days