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Personal Injury (Vehicular)
Product Liability
Toxic Exposure

Bobby J. Giddens v. State of California, et al.

Published: Jan. 27, 1996 | Result Date: Dec. 20, 1995 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: 246046 –  $0

Judge

Stephen D. Cunnison

Court

Riverside Superior


Attorneys

Plaintiff

David P. Dibble


Defendant

Eric C. Sawyer

Glen Seretan


Experts

Plaintiff

Rick A. Sarkisian
(technical)

Alan G. Buckner
(technical)

Barry R. Horn M.D.
(medical)

Joyce Elaine Pickersgill
(technical)

Shabab Momtazi
(medical)

Defendant

Mario Baur
(technical)

Edward L. Bennett M.A.
(technical)

James Lessenger
(medical)

Carl Mills
(technical)

Steven M. Simons M.D.
(medical)

Facts

The plaintiff, a 42-year-old truck driver, alleged that on June 3, 1992, the engine degreaser applied to his truck engine by the defendant, State of California, vaporized and went into the cab of his truck. After five minutes of inhalation, the plaintiff claimed he became ill and that this later resulted in asthma. The plaintiff had been stopped by State personnel for a smog inspection and the degreaser was applied to obtain engine data for a ticket. The plaintiff brought this action based on a negligence theory of recovery.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff demanded $600,000. The defendant made no settlement offer.

Injuries

RADS, asthma, and chemical inhalation requiring pulmonary drugs, treatment and the avoidance of pulmonary irritants.

Other Information

The verdict was reached approximately two years and eleven months after the case was filed. An arbitration before David Driscoll, Esq. resulted in an award in favor of the plaintiff for $68,000.

Deliberation

20 minutes

Poll

9-3

Length

8 days


#78663

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