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Personal Injury (Vehicular)
Automobile Accident
Wrongful Death

Nicola Shaw v. Judith Pickett

Published: Sep. 24, 1994 | Result Date: Jul. 29, 1994 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: SC007877 –  $0

Judge

A. Rex Minter

Court

L.A. Superior Santa Monica


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Robert E. Makley

Andrew M. Dawson


Defendant

Jack M. Liebhaber
(Tyson & Mendes LLP)


Experts

Plaintiff

Robert W. Johnson CPA
(technical)

Ted M. Kobayashi
(technical)

Robert M. Brook
(medical)

Freeman F. Hall Jr.
(medical)

Robert C. Cohenour
(medical)

Alex D. Gazaui
(medical)

Defendant

Earle E. Crandall
(medical)

Paul Kayfetz
(technical)

Fred H. Cady
(technical)

Herbert A. Moskowitz
(technical)

Facts

Plaintiff Nicola Shaw, a 20-year-old student, was visiting the United States from Great Britain. She was walking with a blind woman along Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades, at approximately 4:15 p.m. on November 10, 1990. Plaintiff and the blind woman attempted to cross from the south side to the north side of Sunset Boulevard at a point that is busy and extremely dangerous. These pedestrians were not at an intersection and were not in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. Defendant Judith Pickett was driving westbound on Sunset Boulevard. She was proceeding up a shaded, steep canyon in the slow lane at approximately 25-30 mph. When she got around the curve, the sun was extremely bright. Defendant did not see the Plaintiff; and Plaintiff did not look to her right to see Defendant's vehicle. Plaintiff Shaw and the blind woman ran into the driver's side of Defendant's vehicle. The blind woman died from her injuries.

Settlement Discussions

Defendant contends she made no offers to the Plaintiff Shaw and this Plaintiff demanded $500,000 before trial and $1,000,000 at trial.

Specials in Evidence

$17,500 reduced capacity

Damages

Plaintiff requested the jury to return a verdict of $2,300,000.

Injuries

Bilateral clavicle fractures, fractured right fibula, and fractured left ankle requiring closed reductions; organic brain disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, and possible epilepsy; Plaintiff treated with numerous physicians, including a neurologist and neuropsychologist.

Deliberation

1.25 days

Poll

11-1

Length

16 days


#125209

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