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Soft tissue injury ends mechanic's dream

Award: $635,660

Plaintiff was hit by a cab driver two months after opening his own auto repair shop. He claimed he could no longer work as a mechanic (Rollack v. Singh, Alameda County Superior Court).

PG&E employee claims handicap discrimination

Award: $816,646

Plaintiff employee claimed defendant PG&E terminated him because of a congenital brain condition with deficits manifested as difficulties in time management and interpersonal skills. Defendant denied that plaintiff was physically handicapped (Perry v. Pacific Gas & Electric Co., San Francisco County Superior Court).

125-pound dog bites mountain dog-walker

Award: $89,562

Defendant's 125-pound Rhodesian Ridgeback bit plaintiff, who was walking his Golden Retriever in the Santa Monica mountains. Defendant disputed plaintiff's claimed damages (Mann v. Carner, Los Angeles County Superior Court).

Barroom spanker gets headbutt by patron

Award: $21,846

A patron in defendant restaurant "headbutted" plaintiff after plaintiff slapped the patron's girlfriend on the buttocks. Defendant contended plaintiff was at fault for the sexual battery (Mayhew v. Studio Cafe, Orange County Superior Court).

Customer claims injury in fight for water cooler

Award: Defense

Plaintiff claimed he was injured when a Sparkletts employee attempted to reclaim a water cooler because the account was past due. Defendants contended the employee acted in self-defense (Frick v. McKesson Water Products Co., Los Angeles County Superior Court).

Ex-employee takes hair replacement clients

Award: Defense

Plaintiff claimed an ex-employee's servicing of plaintiff's former hair replacement clients was a breach of contract, misappropriation of trade secrets and unfair trade practice (Hair Replacement Center Inc. v. Norton, Santa Clara County Superior Court).

Car strikes child near ice cream truck

Award: Defense

The minor plaintiff claimed defendant ice cream vendor was negligent in failing to supervise him after enticing him across the street with music and ice cream. Defendant contended the driver who hit plaintiff and plaintiff's parents were liable (Rivera v. Mel O Dee Ice Cream, Orange County Superior Court).