Facts

Austin Redden was operating a vehicle with three passengers. One of the passengers was 19-year-old Diego Castillo. Redden lost control of the vehicle and collided with a flatbed tow truck parked illegally. Castillo sued Redden, Grace Redden who owned the vehicle, and the owner of the tow truck.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff contended that defendants negligently operated their vehicles and were either directly or vicariously liable for the resulting injuries. Austin was speeding when he lost control of the car and the truck was illegally parked in an emergency area. Defendants' negligent conduct amounted to a catastrophic collision. Plaintiff contended the collision resulted in a post-concussion syndrome and lactic acidosis.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS: Defendants contended Austin's negligence was the sole cause of the collision and plaintiff's injuries.

Specials in Evidence

Plaintiff sought $217,889.19 in medical costs.

Injuries

Diego Castillo suffered multiple lacerations and abrasions. Castillo also sustained spinal cord damage, bone fractures, a frontal parietal scalp hematoma. Castillo was prescribed Keppra to treat seizures, headaches and convulsions.

Result

Defendants accepted plaintiffs' global settlement demand of defendants' policy limits. The $3.08 million global settlement was divided among defendants with Austin Redden's insurer paying it $30,000 policy limit, Grace Redden's insurer paying its $50,000 policy limit, and the remaining defendants' insurer paying its $3 million policy limit. Diego Castillo was set to recover approximately $821,333.33.