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Personal Injury
Auto v. Truck
Red Light

Jeremy Zandonatti v. Jason Finnern

Published: Dec. 19, 1998 | Result Date: Sep. 28, 1998 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: 785450 Arbitration –  $85,000

Arbitrator

Steven D. Bromberg

Court

Orange Superior


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Armando J. Berriz
(Berriz Law Group APC)


Defendant

Debra S. Ballard


Facts

On Oct. 19, 1996, defendant Jason Finnern's pickup truck collided with Honda Civic, in which plaintiff Jeremy Zandonatti, a 22-year-old student, was an un-belted rear passenger. The plaintiff was taken by ambulance to the Western Medical Center where he spent the next 20 hours under close observation. The plaintiff contended that the defendant ran the red light. The defendant denied negligence and contended that plaintiff and his friends were out drinking and ran the red light. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendant based on a negligence theory of recovery.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff made a settlement demand for $50,000 (policy limits). The defendant made no offer.

Specials in Evidence

$16,338 $252

Injuries

The plaintiff suffered loss of consciousness; closed head trauma; 3-by-3 inch hematoma in the middle of his forehead; a vertical laceration of 3 centimeters in the middle of his forehead; a 1-by-1 inch avulsion at the cite of the hematoma. A computer tomography scan of his head was normal.

Other Information

The award was rendered approximately one year after the case was filed.


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