Facts

On Dec. 17, 2005, plaintiff Karima Abdulla and her two minor children, Hilah Abdulla and Asma Abduwali, were passengers in a vehicle driven by Moshed Mused in Oakland that was involved in a car accident with a vehicle operated by defendant Shirley McCloskey. Mused's car lost control as a result of the collision and collided with a traffic control pole in the intersection of Broadway and Eight Street. Plaintiffs sued McCloseky.

PLAINTIFFS' CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiffs claimed McCloskey ran a red light and was thus negligent in operating her car.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
McCloskey claimed plaintiffs were comparatively liable for the incident.

Settlement Discussions

Plaintiffs demanded $59,000. McCloskey offered $27,000.

Specials in Evidence

Abdullah claimed $3,743 in medical bills and $1,500 for home care. Asma claimed $2,236 in medical expenses. Hilah claimed $1,904 in medical expenses.

Damages

Plaintiffs claimed $9,000 in past pain and suffering and $4,000 in future pain and suffering.

Injuries

Abdulla claimed she underwent chiropractic treatment and required in-hosue assistance as a result of the incident. Asma also required chiropractic and physical therapy and now has a fear of riding in cars. Hilah was treated in an emergency room and needed eight chiropractic therapy treatments.

Result

The jury found for plaintiffs, awarding them $35,735: $21,647 for Abdullah, $7,184 for Asma, and $6,904 for Hilah.

Other Information

Plaintiffs intend to seek $23,000 in attorney fees due to defendant's denial that she ran the red light, pursuant to CCP 2033.420.

Deliberation

four hours

Length

eight half-days over two weeks