The Case

• Case Name: Chandrala v. Ceethirakath
• Court and Case Number: San Joaquin County Superior Court / STK-CV-UAT-2023-0013658
• Date of Verdict or Judgment: Wednesday, October 01, 2025
• Date Action was Filed: Friday, December 15, 2023
• Type of Case: Vehicles - vs. Pedestrian
• Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. Blanca Banuelos
• Plaintiffs:
  Jaya Chandrala, 73
• Defendants:
  Sameena Ceethirakath
• Type of Result: Jury Verdict

The Result

• Gross Verdict or Award: $342,502.92
• Net Verdict or Award: $291,127.48
• Contributory/Comparative Negligence: 85% to defendant; 15% to plaintiff.
• Economic Damages:$197,502.92
• Non-Economic Damages:$145,000

The Attorneys

• Attorney for the Plaintiff:

  Knapp Moss by Howard J. Knapp, Stockton.

• Attorney for the Defendant:

  Smith, Koyama & Costello by J. Justin McKenna, Folsom.

The Experts

• Plaintiff’s Medical Expert(s):

  Michael Trindade, M.D., orthopedic surgery.

  Vikram Singh, M.D., pain management and future medical costs.

Facts and Background

• Facts and Background: On August 23, 2023, at approximately 8:00 am, plaintiff was returning to her son's home after walking her granddaughter to school in Mountain House, California. Plaintiff was crossing the street as a pedestrian when she was struck by defendant's 2012 Toyota Sienna van.
• The intersection had unmarked crosswalks in both directions at the corner where plaintiff entered the street. Witness testimony established that the plaintiff entered the street before defendant initiated her left-hand turn. There was conflicting testimony about exactly where plaintiff entered the street.
• Plaintiff's Contentions: That defendant was 100% negligent for failing to yield the right of way to a pedestrian and failing to safely turn her vehicle. (Violation of  CACI No. 705 [Vehicle Code, § 22107] "A driver must use reasonable care when turning to the left.”) 
• Defendant's Contentions: That plaintiff was 85-100% negligent for failing to use a marked crosswalk. Defendant argued that plaintiff entered the intersection outside of any marked or unmarked crosswalk.

Injuries and Other Damages

• Physical Injuries claimed by Plaintiff: Leg and knee fractures: Broken left tibial plateau and fractured right patella.

Demands and Offers

• Plaintiff §998 Demand: $100,000 in September 2024
• Defendant §998 Offer: $100,000 in August 2025