Left-turn accident leads to disputed causation. $537K. Los Angeles County.

Summary

Defendant offers $100K per 998, and plaintiff's final demand per 998 is $499,999.

Case Name: Shawna Davi; Christopher Paulson v. Amel Sediri; Jacob Holm Industries (America), Inc.
Court and Case Number: Los Angeles Superior Court / BC534274
Date of Verdict or Judgment: Friday, July 31, 2015
Date Action was Filed: Monday, January 27, 2014
Type of Case: Vehicles - Intersection
Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. Bobbi Tillmon
Plaintiffs:
Shawna Davi, 44, counselor
Christopher Paulson
Defendants:
Jacob Holm Industries (America), Inc.
Amel Sederi
Type of Result: Jury Verdict

Gross Verdict or Award: Shawna Davi: $526,919.60; Christopher Paulson: $10,000
Economic Damages:
Shawna Davi:

Past Medical: $58,919.60

Future Medical: $168,000

Christopher Paulson:

Past Medical: $5,983.60
Non-Economic Damages:
Shawna Davi:

Past Pain and Suffering: $150,000

Future Pain and Suffering: $150,000

Christopher Paulson:

Past Pain and Suffering: $4016.40
Trial or Arbitration Time: 3 days
Jury Deliberation Time: 5 hours
Jury Polls: Various: 12-0 on Economic and 10-2 on General Damages
Post Trial Motions & Post-Verdict Settlements: None at this time.

Attorney for the Plaintiff:
Law Office of John J. Perlstein by John J. Perlstein, Los Angeles.
Attorney for the Defendant:
Attorney for the Defendant:
Diederich and Associates by Donna Yannotta, Glendale.

Diederich and Associates by Amy Volk, San Diego.

Plaintiff’s Medical Expert(s):
Michael Moheimani, M.D., orthopedic surgery, Santa Ana. (treating physician)

Scott Onoda, DC, chiropractic medicine, Los Angeles. (treating physician)
Defendant's Medical Expert(s):
Geoffrey Miller, M.D., orthopedic surgery.
Plaintiff's Technical Experts:
None.
Defendant's Technical Experts:
None.

Facts and Background:
On July 26, 2012, defendant Sederi, a French citizen, while in the course and scope of her employment with defendant Jacob Holm Industries, admittedly caused an intersection accident by making an illegal left turn. Plaintiff and her husband were transported by ambulance and sent home with complaints of pain.
Plaintiff's Contentions:
Plaintiff Davi had pre-existing cervical disc herniations that were exacerbated as well as new lumbar disc bulges as a result of the accident. Plaintiff sought conservative treatment with Chiropractor Onoda and had two epidurals with Dr. Moheimani. Plaintiff claimed chronic pain as a result of the accident that would require conservative managed further care.
Defendant's Contentions:
Defendant admitted fault but claimed that plaintiff Shawna Davi sustained only minor soft tissue injury to her lumbar spine which required only short term therapy. Defendant’s further contended that Ms. Davi’s cervical herniations predated the accident and that causation for her current complaints and the need for future treatment required apportionment.

Plaintiff §998 Demand: $1 million originally. $499,999 two weeks before trial for Davi, and $35,000 for Paulson. ($70,000 before filing.)
Defendant §998 Offer: Offered $35,000 until a month before trial when a 998 for $85,000 was issued for Davi and $15,000 for Paulson.