Facts

On April 28, 2008, plaintiff Lisa Panagos was slowing in her BMW when she was rear-ended by Rebecca Steiner's Honda. The collision occurred on La Cienega Boulevard in West Hollywood.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiff contended that as a result of the impact, she sustained various injuries.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
Defendant claimed that it was a mild impact resulting in minor injuries, which Plaintiff exaggerated to medical personnel, which were shown to have pre-dated this accident. Defendant also claimed Plaintiff had been involved in numerous prior accidents.

Settlement Discussions

Plaintiff initially demanded $30,000, reduced to $25,000. The case settled for $22,000. Five months later, Plaintiff reneged on the settlement and it went to trial.

Damages

Plaintiff claimed $250,000 loss of earning potential as an actress/singer. Plaintiff asked for $820,000 from the jury. Defendant requested Plaintiff only be awarded $6,000 from the jury.

Injuries

Dr. Robert Audell, orthopedist, argued that Plaintiff suffered myofacial pain syndrome, temporomandibular joint, two herniated discs in cervical spine, fractured spine, injured knee, hip, back, depression, insomnia, sleep disorder, severe headaches, loss of concentration, extreme in entire body, difficulty swallowing, and high blood pressure. Dr. Hugh Smith testified that Plaintiff did not sustain any serious long-term injury and most of her complaints were mild in nature and pre-existed this accident. Lloyd Martin, biomechanical expert, testified that nature and force of impact would not have resulted in any major injuries and would at most have caused temporary soft tissue complaints.

Result

Plaintiff's verdict for $9,000.

Other Information

FILING DATE: Feb. 3, 2010.

Deliberation

one day

Poll

10-2

Length

four days