Defendant asserts that plaintiff only sustained a sprain/strain to the spine.
The Case
- Case Name: Jesus Collazo v. Ryan T. Valdez
- Court and Case Number: Los Angeles Superior Court / 24LBCV00825
- Date of Verdict or Judgment: Tuesday, April 21, 2026
- Date Action was Filed: Tuesday, April 23, 2024
- Type of Case: Negligence, Vehicles - Auto vs. Auto, Vehicles - Intersection, Vehicles - Left Turn
- Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. Mark C. Kim
- Plaintiffs:
Jesus Collazo, 32
- Defendants:
Ryan T. Valdez
- Type of Result: Jury Verdict
The Result
- Gross Verdict or Award: $1,350,000
- Net Verdict or Award: $1,350,000
- Contributory/Comparative Negligence: None.
- Economic Damages:
Past medical: $225,000
Future medical: $325,000
- Non-Economic Damages:
Past: $200,000
Future: $600,000
- Trial or Arbitration Time: 6 days
- Jury Deliberation Time: 2 1/4 hours
- Jury Polls: 11-1
The Attorneys
- Attorney for the Plaintiff:
The Capital Law Firm by Isahak Khachatryan and Giorgio Asatrian.
- Attorney for the Defendant:
James T. Shott & Associates by Melody Mulligan and Sharon Hodges.
The Experts
- Plaintiff’s Medical Expert(s):
Andrew Fox, M.D., neurosurgery.
- Defendant's Medical Expert(s):
Jeffrey Dembner, M.D., neurosurgery.
Theodore Gregorius, M.D., orthopedics.
- Plaintiff's Technical Expert(s):
Kelly Harvey, life care planning.
Anthony Choi, accident reconstruction and biomechanics.
- Defendant's Technical Expert(s):
Mohammad Atarod, accident reconstruction and biomechanics.
Facts and Background
- Facts and Background:
On May 9, 2022, plaintiff was driving straight on South Street and crossing the intersection of Downey Avenue in Long Beach, under a solid green light, when defendant driver attempted to make a left turn and collided with plaintiff’s vehicle.
- Plaintiff's Contentions:
As a result of the collision, plaintiff sustained injury. Plaintiff alleged bodily injury and monetary damages as a result of the collision.
- Defendant's Contentions:
Defendant admitted to causing the accident. However, defendant disputed: (1) that plaintiff’s injuries were caused by the accident, (2) the nature and extent of plaintiff’s claimed injuries, and (3) the reasonableness and necessity of plaintiff’s medical treatment and expenses in relation to the accident.
Defendant contended that plaintiff only sustained a sprain/strain to the spine and that it was resolved in three months. Further, that the spinal cord stimulator and most of the injections were not reasonably necessary for the injuries sustained in the subject collision. That the reasonable value of plaintiff's past medical expenses that were reasonably necessary for the injuries sustained in the subject collision is $15,000.
Defendant requested that the jury award plaintiff $30,000.
Injuries and Other Damages
- Physical Injuries claimed by Plaintiff:
Disc bulges and protrusions to the cervical and lumbar spine. Plaintiff has undergone multiple injections to the cervical and lumbar spine, including the installation of a temporary spinal cord stimulator for pain associated in the lumbar spine, and eventually obtaining a permanent spinal cord stimulator.
Demands and Offers
- Plaintiff §998 Demand: $1,499,999
- Defendant §998 Offer: $350,000
Additional Notes
Insurer: State Farm