Facts

On January 11, 2014, Jorge Guzman was working at his job as a cashier and driver for a food truck when he was asked to retrieve a serving table. While Guzman was retrieving the table, he was struck by a car. As a result, Guzman was in a coma for three months, and he suffered severe injuries, including brain damage. He filed suit against his putative employers, Hector Chavez and Edward Younan.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff contended that defendants were his employers; that they were negligent in asking him to retrieve the serving table; that plaintiff was injured as a result of this negligence; and that defendants had intentionally inflicted emotional distress on him. Plaintiff contended that defendants had offered him $200 once he awoke from his coma, claiming they told him that was what they felt they owed him.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS: Defendants denied any wrongdoing and all of plaintiff's material allegations; Defendants contended that plaintiff did not suffer any emotional distress; that plaintiff did not suffer any loss as a result of their actions; and that they were not plaintiff's employer at the time of his injury.

Injuries

Guzman was in a three-month-long coma and suffered brain damage.

Result

A jury awarded Guzman $8.24 million, including $4.5 million for future medical expenses and $2.4 million in future non-economic damages.