Confidential
Settlement – $275,000Judge
Court
L.A. Superior Norwalk
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Stephen M. Garcia
(Garcia & Artigliere)
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Gerald P. Bretting
(technical)
Michael Kirchanski
(technical)
Humberto A. Galleno
(medical)
Defendant
Tony L. Strickland Ph.D.
(medical)
John F. Kerkhoff
(technical)
Milton E. Ashby
(medical)
Facts
On Feb. 1, 1996, at 6 a.m., the plaintiff, a 43-year-old seamstress, was crossing Norwalk Boulevard in an unmarked crosswalk at Donovan Street in Norwalk. While she was in the crosswalk, the plaintiff was struck by the defendant, who was driving a shuttle bus on Norwalk Boulevard. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendant based on a negligence theory of recovery.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiffs made an initial settlement demand for $650,000, followed by a settlement demand for $340,000. The defendant made an initial settlement offer of $210,000.
Specials in Evidence
$56,000 $10,000 (per the plaintiff) or $25,000 to $30,000 (per the defendant)
Injuries
The plaintiff alleged she suffered four broken ribs, soft tissue injury to her back and structural damage to her knee. The defendant claimed the plaintiff also alleged moderate to severe brain injury, a fractured pelvis, a fractured hip and a lacerated right hand.
Other Information
The settlement was reached approximately eleven months after the case was filed.
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