Willard Chin and Blossom Lee v. City and County of San Francisco
Published: Jan. 1, 2000 | Result Date: Jul. 15, 1999 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: 980941 Verdict – $0
Judge
Court
San Francisco Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Clay A. Campbell
(technical)
James Teasdale
(medical)
James Teadale
(medical)
Defendant
Richard F. Gravina
(medical)
Kay Stewart
(medical)
Facts
On Nov. 5, 1995, a parking control officer employed by defendant city and county of San Francisco, Tonette Phillips, was directing traffic in the intersection of Ingerson and Jennings Streets after a San Francisco æ49ers game. She was wearing an orange vest and, the defendants claimed, standing in the center of the intersection. Former defendant John Selke, driving a car owned by his father, former defendant Donald Selke, approached the intersection headed southbound. The defendants claimed Phillips, after directing eastbound traffic to stop, waved the SelkeÆs vehicle into the intersection. The southbound traffic at the intersection was normally controlled by stop signs. Plaintiffs Willard Chin and Blossom Lee, who lived two blocks from the intersection, were driving their automobile eastbound on Ingerson Street. The plaintiffs claimed Phillips was not present in the intersection, and thus not controlling it, when they approached it. The plaintiffsÆ automobile entered the intersection and collided with the SelkeÆs vehicle, injuring the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs brought this action against the Selkes and the City and County of San Francisco based upon negligence and respondeat superior theories of recovery. The plaintiffs dismissed the Selkes on the eve of trial.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made a settlement demand $43,000. Defendant city made a C.C.P. º998 offer of compromise for a waiver of costs.
Injuries
Plaintiff Willard Chin claimed he suffered soft-tissue injuries to his neck and back. Plaintiff Blossom Lee claimed she suffered injuries to her shoulder, back, neck, knee and spine.
Other Information
The verdict was reached two years and ten months after the case was filed. An arbitration was held on May 15, 1998, before Scott Buresh, resulting in an award of $43,000 to the plaintiffs and a defense award to the Selkes.
For reprint rights or to order a copy of your photo:
Email
jeremy@reprintpros.com
for prices.
Direct dial: 949-702-5390