Freeway rear-ender caused by federal employee causes MTBI and neck strain. $4M bench verdict.

Facts and Background

• Facts and Background:

  Plaintiff, 51-year-old Romulo Ray Rufo, married to Trina Rufo and the father of five children, was employed as a land services agent for Southern California Edison where he had worked for the prior eight years. At the time of the collision, Trina and Ray Rufo had been married for 18 years. The Rufos had two biological children and Trina had three of her own. By all accounts, prior to the March 2016 collision, the Rufos had a happy and health marriage.

  On March 16, 2016 at 7:45 a.m., Romulo Ray Rufo was the driver of a Volkswagen Passat traveling in the number one lane of the northbound 710 Freeway south of Firestone Blvd. in the city of South Gate. James Albert Smith, who was in the course and scope of his employment with the Drug Enforcement Administration,  was the driver of a United States-owned Chevrolet Impala traveling approximately 35 mph in the number one lane of the northbound 710 Freeway behind plaintiff's vehicle. According to the testimony of those involved in the collision, there were pockets of stop-and-go traffic and then it would open up for stretches until traffic stopped again.

  The incident occurred when Mr. Rufo stopped quickly in traffic. Mr. Smith was unable to slow in time before impacting the rear of the Rufo vehicle, which was then propelled into the rear of a third vehicle. Mr. Rufo only struck the back of his head on the headrest during the collision sequence.  He recalls staring up at the ceiling at some point while his body was moving.

  Ray Rufo was dazed, but did not lose consciousness. Just after the impact, he initially felt he was fine. He exited his vehicle, spoke with both other drivers, and shot video of the damaged vehicle.  He also telephone his wife and supervisor at work. However, by the time CHP officers arrived, he had pain in his neck and felt nauseous. He was transported to the hospital. CT imaging did not reveal a brain bleed or any other abnormalities. The emergency room physician did not diagnose him with anything other than a neck strain with headache. Over the ensuing hours and days, Mr. Rufo developed multiple concussive symptoms which have persisted since the collision, including balance issues and dizziness.

• Plaintiff's Contentions:

  That  defendant driver was traveling too fast for the conditions. 

  That as a direct result of the incident, plaintiff suffered life-altering  injuries. He has continued to been seen and treated by numerous specialists, including his primary care doctor, a neurosurgeon, vestibular therapist, neuropsychologist, and a neuro-optometrist.

  That plaintiff sustained a mild traumatic brain injury that resulted in vestibular problems, dizziness, headaches, balance issues, and vertigo.  In addition, he had chronic neck pain.

  Plaintiff’s biomechanical expert concluded that there was a greater than 50% injury potential for a mild traumatic brain injury based on the forces of the collision.

• Defendant's Contentions:

  That plaintiff bore some responsibility for stopping too fast.  Also, that plaintiff had prior medical conditions, medication, and depression from the loss of his mother and his job (following the incident) that caused the symptoms he had been experiencing the last four years.

  Defendant’s biomechanical expert argued that there was a 5% chance of injury potential for sustaining a mild traumatic brain injury based on the forces of the collision.

  Defendant also argued there was no mild traumatic brain injury, so no future medical or psychological care was needed from the subject collision. Defendant also argued plaintiff lost his job due to a company-wide lay-off at SCE and that he was able to continue working following the accident. The defendant asked the court to not award lost income, past or future.