Wrongful Death

Defendant driver says she's entitled to sudden emergency defense as her vehicle came into contact with gravel on the highway shoulder.

Railroad worker is exposed to asbestos in railroad repair shops long after asbestos protection for workers is mandated.

School district hides evidence of its negligence in selection of bus stop locations and is sanctioned by court before trial. Later argues value of adopted son's death.

Orchard worker on ladder is electrocuted when ladder contacts SCE's overhead power lines.

Mother of two young children develops pneumonia-like symptoms and repeatedly calls Kaiser's nurse advice line. She is not seen by doctors until it is too late. Wrongful death due to medical negligence.

Sister says her deceased brother's UIM insurer isn't paying enough for his wrongful death in a vehicle accident.

Doctor, 56, is treated with stents at Kaiser, later dies of sudden cardiac death.

Decedent was exposed to asbestos dust through his work with vehicle brake parts.  This trial was for damages only.

SUV pulling a trailer slams into tractor-trailer truck parked off freeway; mother, father and one child die; two surviving children witness deaths. $150 million in non-economic damages, plus costs and interests.

JNOV granting new trial to determine the comparative negligence of plaintiffs' decedent driver and defendant trucking company.

Woman is discharged home after surgeon punctures left internal iliac artery; bleeds to death. Surgeon settles out; defendant anesthesiologist says there were no signs of a problem when he discharged her.

A laborer instructed to work on a door bell is electrocuted on job site; no workers' comp coverage.  Developer/contractor is held liable.

An unarmed robbery suspect is shot by a Culver City police officer.  Other officers on the scene did not perceive the suspect as a threat. $8.8 million awarded by Federal jury.  

Alzheimer's patient, 81, suffers a severe decline in her physical health after only three months in assisted-living facility. Jury awards $27 million, mostly punitive damages.

Scuba diver dies off Catalina Island when breathing apparatus fails; diver had pre-existing heart condition. Defense offered $93K, but jury awards $5 million to decedent's elderly parents.