Facts

The case arises out of a three-vehicle rear-end accident, which occurred on Aug. 20, 2008 at 11:30 a.m., westbound on Santa Monica Boulevard at the intersection of Wilcox in West Hollywood.

Defendant Shannon Snaith rear-ended plaintiff Richard Grim's vehicle and plaintiff's vehicle was pushed forward into a third vehicle.

Settlement Discussions

Prior to trial, defendant made a CCP 998 offer of $75,000.

Injuries

Plaintiff claimed that as a result of striking his knee at the time of the accident, he needed to undergo surgery as he sustained a defect or fracture to the cartilage. Plaintiff underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and then underwent a second surgery, an open exploration and osteochondral allograft transport for the trochlear cartilage defect. He continues to have problems and alleged the need for a future knee replacement and subsequent knee revision surgery. Defendant claimed that plaintiff's knee problems were pre-existing and not due to the accident. Defendant claimed that there was no evidence that plaintiff even hit his knee and that there were no objective signs of injury following the accident. As such, defendant argued that neither of the two knee surgeries or the need for a future knee replacement and revision surgery was related to the accident.

Result

Defense verdict. The jury found that the negligence was not a substantial factor in causing plaintiff's injuries.

Other Information

Defendant filed a cost bill of $45,165. FILING DATE: Aug. 18, 2010.

Deliberation

one hour

Length

four days