Kenneth Cooleen, Martin O'Connell v. Leah E. Kautz
Published: Apr. 5, 2005 | Result Date: Oct. 22, 2004 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: YC047599 Verdict – $11,700
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Facts
On Sep. 30, 2002 at approximately 4:45 p.m. near the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Catalina in the City of Redondo Beach, the plaintiffs (two Irish tourists) were going northbound on PCH in a rental 2002 Buick 4-door Sedan. The defendant Leah Kautz was driving behind the Buick in her 1994 Nissan Pathfinder SUV. Traffic came to a stop for a traffic light at that intersection and the defendant rear ended the plaintiffs' car. The defendant's vehicle sustained $2,193 in front-end damage.
Settlement Discussions
Kenneth Cooleen made a C.C.P. Section 998 demand for $45,000; Martin O'Connell made a C.C.P. Section 998 demand for $15,000. The defendant made C.C.P. Section 998 offer for $2,501 to each plaintiff.
Specials in Evidence
$3,000
Damages
Non-economic damages of $1,000.
Injuries
Kenneth Cooleen (a 52-year-old taxi driver and security guard) sustained soft tissue injuries to neck, shoulder and head with ongoing residual complaints of neck pain, shoulder pain and headaches. Martin O'Connell (a 45-year-old police officer) sustained neck pain, upper back pain and shoulder pain with ongoing residual complaints in the same area.
Result
Kenneth Cooleen: $4,000 ($3,000 economic and $1,000 non-economic). Martin O'Connell: $7,700 ($6,700 economic and $1,000 non-economic)
Deliberation
2.5 hours
Poll
10-2
Length
three days
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