Trench collapse causes fall
Award: $7,338,322
A subcontractor suffered a herniated disk when a trench collapsed at
a construction site (Stringer v. Pacific Gas & Electric Co., San Francisco County
Superior Court).
Trip/fall near escalator
Award: $523,770
A woman fractured her shoulder when she tripped on a mat placed at
the base of an escalator (Miller v. McClatchy Newspaper, Sacramento County Superior
Court).
Red light runner kills man
Award: $6,215,358
Defendant driver ran a red light at a fast rate of speed, colliding
with several cars before hitting decedent’s vehicle (Ortega v. Dawes Transport Inc.,
Los Angeles County Superior Court).
Employee hits ‘glass ceiling’
Award: $5,219,020
A female employee of Vons claimed sex discrimination after her
demotion from a management position (Rayburn v. The Vons Companies Inc., Orange County
Superior Court).
Fraudulent insurance claim
Award: $1,844,184
An insurer sought restitution of benefits paid on a fraudulent
disability insurance claim (Provident Life & Accident Insurance Company v. O’Connor,
Eastern District Federal Court).
Watercraft found defective
Award: $8,361,000
The loss of ability to steer a Yamaha WaveRunner without applying
engine power caused an accident in which plaintiff was rendered paraplegic (Cuenllas v.
Yamaha Motor Corp., Los Angeles County Superior Court).
False imprisonment claim
Award: Defense
A salesman claimed that Wal-Mart did not have probable cause to
detain him and that it encouraged his unlawful arrest (Boran v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc.,
Merced County Superior Court).
Surgery severs tibial nerve
Award: $3,600,950
A surgical procedure to remove a tumor severed a tibial nerve,
causing permanent loss of function to the patient’s foot (Kimura v. Regents of the
University of California, San Francisco County Superior Court).
Banking career destroyed
Award: $1,104,251
An S&L president claimed the government’s negligence
resulted in his employment termination (Pelletier v. Federal Home Loan Bank of San
Francisco, Central District Federal Court).
Book of business dispute
Award: Defense
An insurance brokerage and an independent agent disputed the division
and valuation of a book of business (Avila v. Winton Ireland, Stanislaus 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. |
