Disability discrimination Award: $483,763
A longtime employee of an auto dealership claimed that he was terminated because of his multiple sclerosis condition (Rowe v. McLean Motor Co., Orange County Superior Court).
Propane explosion Award: $3,629,912
A worker sustained severe burns when he attempted to light the pilot to a propane stove that he had been advised had its gas turned off (Davis v. Pacific Aquafarms Inc., Imperial County Superior Court).
Diver paralyzed Award: $27,750,000
A 20-year-old diver was rendered quadriplegic when he dove into a city-owned pool and struck a synchronized swimmer who was not supposed to be in the dive area (Shropshire v. City of Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County Superior Court).
Workers comp MD sued Award: Defense
A patient alleged that a test performed on him by his workers' compensation evaluation orthopedic surgeon resulted in a fractured shoulder (O'Connor v. Sanders, Los Angeles County Superior Court).
Heart condition claimed Award: $100,000
A young motorist claimed that another driver made a left turn in front of her, causing a collision that left her with a heart arrhythmia (Wood v. Chiang, Los Angeles County Superior Court).
Trucker run over Award: $5,038,217
A truck driver was run over and crushed to death by a tractor-trailer in the staging area of an asphalt company (Escobar v. Mike Lowrie Transport Inc., Sacramento County Superior Court) .
Financial elder abuse Award: $371,000
The executor of an estate on behalf of an only child sued the decedent's husband for the return of decedent's separate funds transferred to a joint account during a period when she was incapacitated (Estate of Jacobsen v. Hughes, Kings County Superior Court).
Adoption agency sued Award: $700,000
Parents who adopted a child that eventually exhibited severe brain damage sued the adoption agency for failure to reveal pertinent information about the child's birth parents (Byrnes v. Children's Home Society of California, Los Angeles County Superior Court).
Commercial lease dispute Award: $150,000
A business tenant sued a leasing company for negligent management of its lease (Pedus Service Inc. v. West Coast Office Centers, Los Angeles County Superior Court).
Editor's Note: California Bar Journal publishes this abbreviated summary of important trials in California provided by Trials Digest Publishing Inc. For a free, complete trial report on any case listed, call 510-420-1800.
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