Defendant runs red light, causing T-bone crash. $866K. Los Angeles County.
Summary
Plaintiff develops Complex Regional Pain Syndrome at her wrist. She then overcompensates and requires rotator cuff surgery.
The Case
- Case Name: Beckman v. Laguna
- Court and Case Number: Los Angeles Superior Court / 18STCV06228
- Date of Verdict or Judgment: Thursday, June 30, 2022
- Date Action was Filed: Tuesday, November 27, 2018
- Type of Case: Vehicles - Auto vs. Auto
- Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. Gregory Alarcon
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Plaintiffs: Patricia Beckman
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Defendants: Omar Laguna
- Type of Result: Jury Verdict
The Result
- Gross Verdict or Award: $866,092.99
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Economic Damages:
Past medical expenses: $166,092.99
Future medical expenses: $150,000
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Non-Economic Damages:
Past: $150,000
Future: $400,000
- Trial or Arbitration Time: 2 weeks
- Jury Deliberation Time: 5 hours
The Attorneys
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Attorney for the Plaintiff:
Panish Shea Boyle Ravipudi LLP by Jon Davidi, Los Angeles.
Lederer & Nojima, LLP by Eddie Dennis, Los Angeles.
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Attorney for the Defendant:
Knapp Petersen & Clarke by Kevin Stack, Glendale.
The Experts
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Plaintiff’s Medical Expert(s):
Babak Samimi, M.D., orthopedic surgery.
Lara Edinger, D.O., complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
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Defendant's Medical Expert(s):
Nicholas Rose, M.D., hand orthopedics.
Joshua Prager, M.D., complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
Rocco Calderon, M.D., neck and back orthopedics.
Neil Chafetz, M.D., radiology.
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Plaintiff's Technical Expert(s):
None.
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Defendant's Technical Expert(s):
Tami Rockholt, medical billing.
Facts and Background
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Facts and Background:
On December 15, 2016, plaintiff was T-boned at an intersection in Pasadena when defendant ran a red light. As a result of the collision, plaintiff suffered injuries to her neck, low back, left shoulder, and left hand (CMC joint).
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Plaintiff's Contentions:
Plaintiff contended that all of her injuries were related to the incident and that she would need future treatment for her Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
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Defendant's Contentions:
Defendant admitted fault, but claimed that plaintiff's injuries were minor sprain/strain injuries that only required a few weeks of conservative care. Plaintiff's post-incident MRI showed preexisting degenerative arthritic changes, which was the cause of her continuing hand pain, and that she would have needed the surgery at some point in her life anyway.
Defendant also contended that plaintiff did not have CRPS and even if she did, her treatment was excessive and her future recommended treatment was not warranted. Further, that plaintiff's right shoulder injury was wholly unrelated, and that plaintiff was overreaching with all of her claimed injuries.
Injuries and Other Damages
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Physical Injuries claimed by Plaintiff:
Neck strain, low back strain, left shoulder strain, left CMC joint arthritis, complex regional pain syndrome, right shoulder rotator cuff tear.
Plaintiff's neck, low back, and left shoulder injuries resolved with conservative treatment.
Her left hand CMC joint pain did not resolve and she eventually underwent a CMC joint arthroplasty over 3 1/2 years after the collision. The surgery helped temporarily but then the pain returned. Plaintiff's treating surgeon was concerned plaintiff was developing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Plaintiff was eventually diagnosed with CRPS 4 1/2 years after the collision. As a result of her limited ability to use her left hand and arm, plaintiff was overcompensating with her right arm, which resulted in a torn rotator cuff, for which she had arthroscopic surgery over five years after the collision.
Additional Notes
Defendant's highest pre-trial offer was $75,000.