Door slams on teen’s hand
Award: $19,700,000

A 14-year-old high school student suffered a severe injury to the autonomic nervous system when her hand was slammed in the door of a van (Pratte v. Central California Church of God Association Inc., San Bernardino County Superior Court).

Settlement without consent
See Trials Digest case report.

A film editor claimed that the Harvey Lerer & Associates law firm settled his underlying slip-and-fall case for $100,000 without his permission (McAvoy v. Lerer, Los Angeles County Superior Court).

Actress wins oral dispute
Award: Defense

The Private Movie Co. claimed that actress Pamela Anderson Lee breached an oral contract to make a movie allegedly reached through her agent and manager (The Private Movie Co. v. Anderson, Los Angeles County Superior Court).

Trucker’s legs crushed
Award: $3,975,000

A truck driver’s legs were severely injured when a forklift operator knocked a one-ton bundle of pipe off a loaded trailer and onto plaintiff (Gutierrez v. State Pipe & Supply Co., San Bernardino County Superior Court).

Hostile workplace claim
Award: $350,000

A 58-year-old female locomotive engineer for Amtrak was the victim of a hostile work environment based on her gender (Gotthardt v. Amtrak, Northern District Federal Court).

Architects fail to perform
Award: $7,234,430

An architectural firm failed to adequately perform contract administration and observation services during construction of a high-rise (Lake Merritt Plaza v. Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum Inc., Alameda County Superior Court).

Refusal to transfer book
Award: $1,035,792

Intra Insurance Service Inc. refused to transfer an insurance agent’s book of business to him after he ended his working relationship with the company (Rhodes v. Intra Insurance Service Inc., San Diego County Superior Court).

Lemon Law violation claim
Award: Defense

Brake system of 1988 Audi 90 fails after six repair attempts. A 32-year-old real estate agent sustained brain damage in resulting accident. (Yellen v. Ogner Motorcars Inc., Los Angeles County Superior Court).

Slip results in diskectomy
Award: $350,000

A shopper slipped, but did not fall, in a puddle in the Stockton Wal-Mart patio/garden department, injuring her low back (Wilson v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., San Joaquin 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.