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Personal Injury (Vehicular)
Multiple Automobile Accident
Bus Involvement

Jennifer Kirk v. Emanuel Lalikian; and Jennifer Kirk v. LAUSD

Published: May 13, 1995 | Result Date: Mar. 30, 1995 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: GC009353 –  $16,000

Judge

Gabriel A. Gutierrez

Court

L.A. Superior Pasadena


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Kenneth Lee Powell


Defendant

Cecil W. Howard Jr.

Julius Wachs


Experts

Plaintiff

Joseph T. Culverwell
(medical)

Defendant

P. Douglas Kiester M.D.
(medical)

S. Andrew Schwartz M.D.
(medical)

Facts

Plaintiff Jennifer Kirk, a 24-year-old secretary, was involved in 2 vehicular accidents. The first incident occurred on March 14, 1992; it was a rear end collision in which Defendant Emanuel Lalikian's automobile struck Plaintiff's automobile; this collision took place in Pasadena. The second incident occurred on May 27, 1993; Plaintiff's automobile struck Defendant LAUSD's bus in a broadside collision. Defendant Lalikian admitted liability for the first collision.

Settlement Discussions

Defendant Lalikian contends he offered $7,500; LAUSD offered $40,000; and Plaintiff made a 998 demand in the amount of $75,000 from Lalikian and an undisclosed demand from LAUSD; Plaintiff's total settlement demand was $125,000.

Specials in Evidence

$5,700 (first accident) $4,000 (second accident) not claimed $18,000 to $25,000

Damages

Plaintiff asked the jury to award over $500,000 and claimed that the T11 fracture in the first accident made Plaintiff susceptible and created an unstable spine.

Injuries

First accident: compression fracture of T11 (treatments and/or surgeries required, current and/or future as well as residuals were not disclosed). Second accident: soft tissue and unstable spine (treatments and/or surgeries required, current and/or future as well as residuals were not disclosed).

Deliberation

2 days

Poll

12-0 in Lalikian, 9-3 LAUSD

Length

8 days


#78478

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