Lawrence John Lease, Betty Lease v. City of Redding, John Schoelkopf
Published: Jan. 1, 2000 | Result Date: Jul. 30, 1999 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: 131510 Verdict – $2,000,000
Judge
Court
Shasta Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Steven R. Enochian
(Low McKinley Baleria & Salenko LLP)
Experts
Plaintiff
Garreth Dale Perrine
(technical)
Defendant
Robert L. Piziali
(technical)
Facts
On Dec. 29, 1995, decedent Adam Lease, a 17-year-old student, was driving a Honda northbound on Buenaventura Boulevard in the city of Redding. A city of Redding patrol car, driven by Officer John Schoelkopf, was traveling southbound on Buenaventura Boulevard. The plaintiffs claimed the patrol car attempted to turn left onto Starlight Boulevard in front of the decedent. The decedent swerved to avoid the patrol car, and collided with a southbound Suburban driven by plaintiff Leonard Brown. The decedent was killed, and plaintiff Brown was injured. The decedent's parents, Lawrence and Betty Lease, and Brown brought this action against the city of Redding and Officer Schoelkopf based on negligence and respondeat superior theories of recovery.
Settlement Discussions
The Lease plaintiffs made a C.C.P. º998 settlement demand for $150,000. Plaintiff Brown made a settlement demand for $50,000 (policy limits). The defendants made no settlement offer on the Lease case. The defendants offered $20,000 on the Brown case.
Specials in Evidence
$22,000 (Brown) $______________ (Brown) $________________ (Brown) $____________ (Brown)
Injuries
The Lease plaintiffs suffered the loss of their 17-year-old son. Plaintiff Brown claimed he suffered permanent injuries to his left hand, requiring surgery and resulting in permanent damage.
Other Information
Motion for new trial and addittur were denied on Oct. 4, 1999. The verdict was reached approximately two years and seven months after the case was filed.
Deliberation
six hours
Length
16 days
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