Man is struck in parking lot of city park. $10,000,000 settlement based on a high-low agreement reached during deliberation.
The Case
- Case Name: Ginn, et al. v. Connett
- Court and Case Number: Los Angeles Superior Court / 23TRCV00325
- Date of Verdict or Judgment: Thursday, October 30, 2025
- Date Action was Filed: Friday, February 03, 2023
- Type of Case: Vehicles - vs. Pedestrian, Wrongful Death
- Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. David K. Reinart
- Plaintiffs:
Nancy Ginn and family
- Defendants:
Aileen Connett
- Type of Result: Jury Verdict
The Result
- Gross Verdict or Award: $4,850,000
- Settlement Amount: $10,000,000 settlement based on a high-low agreement reached during deliberation.
- Contributory/Comparative Negligence: None
- Trial or Arbitration Time: 2 weeks
- Jury Deliberation Time: 1 day
The Attorneys
- Attorney for the Plaintiff:
Morgan & Morgan by Daniel DeSantis, Arthur Petrousian and Tatevik Gasparyan, Los Angeles.
- Attorney for the Defendant:
Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP by Frederick J. Ufkes and Kimia Karami, Los Angeles.
The Experts
- Plaintiff’s Medical Expert(s):
Bennett Omalu, M.D., epidemiology.
- Defendant's Medical Expert(s):Sonya Rosen, M.D., geriatrics
Facts and Background
- Facts and Background:On August 22, 2022, Gary Ginn, was walking in the north parking lot of Wilson Park in Torrance when he was struck by a Lexus GS350 driven by defendant Aileen Connett. Defendant, operating her motor vehicle, was pulling into a parking space in the parking lot when she hit the 89-year-old pedestrian. The vehicle struck Mr. Ginn and ran over him.
- The elderly pedestrian later died of his injuries after 12 days in the ICU. He was survived by his wife and four adult children.
- Plaintiff's Contentions:That defendant was negligent in the operation of her motor vehicle and that such negligence was a substantial factor in killing the decedent.
- Defendant's Contentions:Defendant contested liability and also contended that decedent was negligent for walking in the parking lot.
Injuries and Other Damages
- Physical Injuries claimed by Plaintiff:Multiple blunt force injuries that caused his death 12 days after the incident occurred.
Additional Notes
The defendant was insured for only $5 million.
Before the verdict was read in open court, the parties and defendant's insurance company agreed to a high-low agreement of $10 million on the low and $25 million on the high in exchange for waivers of appeals and payment to be made within 14 days.