Verdicts
Napa County Jury Returns Record $8.4 Million Verdict
Verdict: $8.4 Million | Napa County | Alvarez v. Syar Industries, Inc
On Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, a Napa County jury returned a verdict in favor of clients of the Dreyer Babich Buccola Wood Campora firm in the amount of $8,311,685 and $125,000. The firm represented Melissa Alvarez, a 35-year-old mother of three and employee of Napa County’s Probation Department and her 5-year old son, Lorenzo Alvarez..
Jury Returns Verdict of $5.24 Million in Yuba County
Verdict: $5.24 Million | Yuba County | Jane Doe v. Sundt Construction, Inc.
Plaintiff was seriously injured while performing electrical work on the roof of the Health and Safety building at Yuba Community College. Plaintiff fell while descending a roof access ladder due to defendant Sundt Construction, Inc.’s failure to apply a required non-slip coating on the ladder steps and clean the ladder of sheet rock and dust. Plaintiff fell approximately 15 feet to the concrete floor suffering multiple injuries.
Sacramento County Jury Awards a $1.25 Million verdict in favor of motorcyclist Timothy Stubbs.
Verdict: $1.25 Million | Sacramento County | Stubbs v. Aslett
On Thursday June 9, 2016, a Sacramento County jury returned a verdict in favor of motorcyclist Timothy Stubbs. Mr. Stubbs was seriously injured in a June 30, 2014, motorcycle versus pickup truck accident that occurred on the interchange from westbound Interstate 80 to southbound Interstate 680.
Jury Award $2.89 Million for Injuries Sustained In Contested Rear-End Impact
Verdict: $2.89 Million | Sacramento County | Bradley v. Bassco Services, Inc.
On Friday, June 3, 2016, a Sacramento County jury returned a personal injury verdict of $2,894,226.73 for injuries suffered by the plaintiff in an April 15, 2013, automobile collision.
Jury Returns Verdict of $627,000 in Stanislaus County
Verdict: $627,000 | Stanislaus County | Esteves v. Allied Concrete Company, Inc.
On April 22, 2014, Joshua Esteves was stopped at a red light in Modesto. He and his wife and two sons were enjoying spring break together. While stopped, Mr. Esteves was rear-ended by a 30-ton cement truck owned and operated by Allied Concrete Company.
Jury Returns Record $9.8 Million Verdict in El Dorado County
Verdict: $9.8 Million | El Dorado County | Bray v. Hoelscher
Following a three-week trial, an El Dorado County jury returned a $9,860,630.86 verdict in favor of Plaintiff Carly Bray. Ms. Bray lost her right leg on March 1, 2012, when a driver lost control of her vehicle and careened into an El Dorado Union High School District bus stop.
Jury Awards $9 Million for Injuries Sustained in 2012 Crash
August 2015 – Jonesboro, Arkansas – 9.1 Million
An Arkansas woman, who suffered severe brain injuries, losing part of her temporal lobe after being broadsided by a van driven by a grocery chain employee, was awarded $9 million by a federal jury.
Jury Returns Record Amador County Personal Injury Verdict
September 2014 – Amador County – $3.7 Million
The defendant, age 53 at the time of the incident, denied liability both for causing the collision and for plaintiff’s damages. Defendant has been a Type 1 insulin-dependent diabetic since the age of 14 and on the evening of the collision she blacked out from low blood sugar, crossed the centerline and struck the plaintiff’s vehicle.
Pedestrians Hit By Drunk Driver In Sacramento
September 2014 – Sacramento County – $3.2 Million
On June 1, 2012, Amy Elliott and Steven Galvan were standing on the sidewalk at the corner of Fair Oaks Boulevard and Howe Avenue when a drunk driver came onto the sidewalk and struck them as they waited to cross the street. After the initial collision, the drunk driver did not stop, but continued to drive several hundred feet before colliding with another vehicle that was stopped at a stop sign. A blood test of the drunk driver would later reveal a blood alcohol content of .28.
Agricultural Aviator’s Death Due To Unmarked Meteorological Evaluation Tower
September 2014 – Contra Costa County – $6.7 Million
On January 10, 2011, a 60-meter meteorological evaluation tower (MET) that had been erected in April 2009 took the life of well-known and respected Northern California agricultural aviator Steve Allen. Mr. Allen had been hired by Bouldin Farming Company to spread winter wheat on one of the fields in Webb Tract Island, located in Contra Costa County.
On the day of the subject incident, Mr. Allen was never made aware of the existence of the tower by Bouldin Farming Company, and from eyewitness accounts, it was clear that he never saw it before he struck it and fell to his death. Mr. Allen’s death was not the first where agricultural aviators struck unmarked and unlit METs during daytime operations.
Sacramento Jury Awards A 2014 State Record Verdict $34.9 Million For Injury
December 2013 – Sacramento County – $34.9 Million
On October 11, 2010, Mrs. Hackett was driving her bus on Highway 12 when the defendant’s semi-truck/trailer combination crossed over into the oncoming lane, colliding with Mrs. Hackett’s bus and rendering her paralyzed from the waist down, also resulting in her suffering a major closed-head injury.
Regional Transit Liable For Wrongful Death And Jury Awards Millions In Damages
November 2012 – Sacramento County – $2.4 Million
A Sacramento County jury found Sacramento Regional Transit District liable for the wrongful death of Joyce Jacobs and awarded her husband, John Jacobs, and son, Anthony Jacobs, more than $2.4 million in damages. The verdict came nearly five years after Mrs. Jacobs was killed by a left-turning RT bus at the intersection of 8th Street and Q Street in downtown Sacramento.
Record Punitive Damage Verdict Against Ford – Over $70 Million
November 2011 – Sacramento County – $70+ Million
A Sacramento jury determined that Ford Motor Company’s conduct was despicable in the handling of a tire replacement program conducted by Goodyear in 2002. The jury determined that Ford, which had information relative to the defective tire from the tire manufacturer, Goodyear, failed to provide information to its customer base and owners of E-350 Econoline 15 Passenger Vans. The jury determined that Ford’s conduct was such a breach of its responsibility and duty as a manufacturer that the plaintiffs were subject to an award of punitive damages in the amount of $50 million.
United States Sanctioned For Destroying Evidence
United States deemed to be negligent in the death of Tommy Botell by court order. During the course of discovery in this case, it became apparent that relevant evidence had not been preserved and/or had been destroyed. Steve Campora and Catia Saraiva filed a motion against the United States seeking sanctions based on spoliation of evidence.
Truck Driver Injured Unloading Beams
Verdict: $3 Million | El Dorado County Superior Court | Morgan v. SMC Contracting
This matter involved a construction accident where plaintiff was the truck driver involved in off-loading of large beams. In the process of off-loading, beams were dropped on the plaintiff by a forklift operator who claimed to be an employee of one of the defendants. Comparative fault against him was a significant issue. Defendants also disputed liability and the forklift operator’s employment with defendants. The matter went to trial and was settled in the third week of trial.
Sacramento Regional Transit Liable For Bus Accident
Verdict: $2.4 Million | Sacramento County | Jacobs v. Sacramento Regional Transit District
A Sacramento County jury found Sacramento Regional Transit District liable for the wrongful death of Joyce Jacobs and awarded her husband, John Jacobs, and son, Anthony Jacobs, more than $2.4 Million in damages. The verdict came nearly five years after Mrs. Jacobs was killed by a left-turning RT bus at the intersection of 8th Street and Q Street in downtown Sacramento.
Spine Fusion Due To Rear-End Collision
Verdict: $1,449,618 | Sacramento County | Baldo v. Chuck Swift Dodge-Chrysler, et al.
Robert Swift who was the owner of Chuck Swift Dodge-Chrysler, Inc. in Sacramento, California, rear-ended Ms. Baldo at a red light on February 22, 2008. Ms. Baldo suffered injuries to her cervical spine, right shoulder and right hand. She went on to have arthroscopic surgery on her shoulder and carpal tunnel release on her right wrist.
SUV Forced Off The Road By 18-Wheeler Big Rig
Verdict: $2.9 Million | Sacramento Superior Court | Arenas v. UPS Ground Freight, Inc.
The UPS truck was southbound on I-5 near Redding and began to change lanes into the #1 lane. The decedent’s Ford Explorer was located in the #1 lane approaching the rear of the UPS truck. The rear of the UPS truck entered into the #1 lane and the left side of the UPS rear trailer either struck the right side of the decedent’s Ford Explorer or caused her to swerve to her left to avoid being struck.
Trucking Accident Caused Massive Injury
Verdict: $24,307,273 | Sacramento County | Loza-Jimenez v. Freeway Transport, Inc.
Plaintiff, a 9-year-old little girl, was pinned beneath the rear duals of a tractor-trailer. She suffered severe injuries to her legs and buttocks. In a bifurcated trial, plaintiff proved that defendant was liable for the plaintiff’s injuries and obtained a record Sacramento County personal injury damage verdict of $24,307,273, including $20 million of pain and suffering damages.
Record Wrongful Death Verdict Changes Tire Training And Repair
Verdict: $19.2 Million | San Diego County | Barber v. Mossy Ford Dealership
$19.2 million was the net settlement after a $14.465 million gross verdict against Mossy Ford. The wrongful death verdict is the largest compensatory damage verdict ever in San Diego County.
Wheelchair Lift – Paratransit Bus Accident
Verdict: $6.4 Million | Placer County | Avery v. City of Roseville
This action involved a quadriplegic who was injured when the transportation vehicle he was utilizing dropped him from its lift. The issue to determine was the nature and extent of his injuries and also the negligence of the defendants. The defendants attempted to blame the plaintiff for operating his wheelchair on the lift when the incident happened and also that he was already a quadriplegic and, therefore, the injury was not that significant.
Two Big Rig Trucks Collide Then Hit A Disabled Church Bus
Verdict: $7.3 Million | Fresno Superior Court | Haen v. Logos Group, Triple E Produce, et al.
This matter involved a collision that took place on April 17, 2009, resulting in the death of a 40-year-old father of two teenage children. The decedent was the operator of a church bus that ran out of gas and was disabled on the side of southbound Highway 99 between Merced and Fresno.
Dependant Adult Care
Verdict: Confidential | Sacramento County | Linville v. Sierra Vista Hospital, et al.
In addition to the monetary settlement, defendant agreed to include its new employees having proper code green response and restraint training practices.
MasterCraft Boat Found Defective By A Butte County Jury
Verdict: $31 Million | Butte County | Bell v. MasterCraft Boat Company
This matter involved a four-month trial against MasterCraft alleging a defective product in terms of how they constructed the subject boat. Plaintiff was a passenger in the boat when, during the course of the operation, it took on water and she was washed overboard and into the propeller suffering a significant brain injury.
Sacramento Radio Contestant Died Of Water Intoxication
Verdict: $16.6 Million | Sacramento County Superior Court | Strange v. Entercom Communications, et al.
This was an action involving the highly publicized death of a 28-year-old mother of three who was married. She was a participant in a “hold your wee” to win a Wii which turned into a water drinking contest run by a local radio station. The contest resulted in the decedent consuming a large quantity of water that ultimately resulted in significant brain hemorrhaging and her death.
Struck By Oncoming Vehicle
Verdict: $321,500 | Sacramento County Superior Court | Greer v. Buzgheia
Greer was 50 years of age and single. He was struck by an oncoming vehicle that ran a red light at an intersection at approximately 10 miles per hour. Defendant denied that he had run the red light. Plaintiff underwent a spinal fusion four years later at L5-S1. Defendant argued that at the impact speed of 10 miles per hour, he could not have caused the injury requiring surgery.
Liability Admitted, Family Relationship Disputed Before Trial
Verdict: $4.5 Million | San Francisco County Superior Court | Ausselet v. WPX Courier LLP, et al .
This is an action of admitted liability addressing the loss of a husband and father. The surviving children were from different marriages. The key assessment of the case was the involvement of the father in the lives of the children and in the marriage with his then wife. Defendant made a statutory offer of over $2.6 million prior to trial.
Rear-Ended In Traffic
Verdict: $1.5 Million | Marin County | Bodeman v. Carson
Maria Bodeman was 42 years of age, married and had two children at the time when she was rear-ended on northbound US 101 in Marin County. She was coming home from her job in Marin to Sacramento when she was struck from behind in a three-car chain reaction collision. Ms. Bodeman sustained an injury to her cervical spine resulting in a single level cervical fusion.
Truck Driver, Under The Influence Of Alcohol, Ran Stop Sign
Verdict: $10.5 Million | Fresno County Superior Court | Lopez v. D.A.V. Charities of Central California, Inc, et al.
This is an action filed by a Hispanic woman against an entity that had only $3 million in insurance coverage. The operator of the vehicle was under the influence of alcohol when he ran through a stop sign and struck the plaintiff’s vehicle causing a serious brain injury. The defendant failed to tender the policy limit in a timely fashion upon demand.
Fifteen-Passenger Rollover
Verdict: $1.86 Million | Pease v. Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Big O Tires
Lead singer and guitarist of the Sacramento band Bucho was severely injured while traveling home from a performance at the House of Blues in Las Vegas. The 44-year-old Gerald Pease had rented a 15-passenger van from Enterprise Rent-A-Car of Sacramento to transport both the band members and their gear to the performance in Vegas.
Pedestrian Killed By Bus In The Crosswalk
Verdict: $4.6 Million | Sacramento County Superior Court | Giannoni v. Sacramento Regional Transit District
This involved an incident where a wife and mother of two adult daughters was in a crosswalk when she was struck by a Sacramento Regional Transit Bus. This case involved essentially a jury valuing the loss of a wife and mother who was in her mid-50s. Pretrial offer was $2 million.
Struck Head-On By Trailer
Verdict: $5.2 Million | Sacramento County Superior Court | Garcia v. Cal-West Concrete Cutting, Inc.
This case involves 65-year-old Elva Garcia and her husband of 46 years, Ramon Garcia. On the day of the incident, plaintiffs were traveling southbound on Sierra College Boulevard when the defendant, who was traveling in the opposite direction, had his compressor trailer disconnect from the back of his truck due to his failure to properly secure the trailer hitch. The trailer, which had a diesel generator on it, went into the Garcias’ lane of travel and struck their vehicle head-on.
Pedestrian Struck In Crosswalk
Verdict: $546,000 | Sacramento | Congdon v. Papa John’s Pizza
The 37-year-old plaintiff was injured when she was struck by a delivery vehicle while crossing the street in a crosswalk. Upon impact, plaintiff was knocked to the ground and struck her head resulting in a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Dangerous Condition On Highway 50
Verdict: $17.25 Million | El Dorado County Superior Court | Betts v. State of California
This case involved allegations against the state of California for having a dangerous condition of public roadway as it relates to how they set up and ran their chain installation zone on Highway 50. Mr. Dreyer represented Mrs. Betts and her husband, a 73-year-old man who was working on the day of the incident as an independent contractor installing chains.
Farm Worker Rear-Ended By UPS Vehicle
Verdict: $7 Million | Sacramento County Superior Court | Servin v. United Parcel Service
This case involves a 70-year-old farm worker who was driving a tractor on July 4, 2001, when he was rear-ended by a UPS transportation vehicle. The impact caused Mr. Servin’s head to strike the rear glass on the tractor causing him to suffer a closed head injury.
Struck Violently By Concrete Pump Hose
Verdict: $650,000 | Alameda County | Salamanca v. CF&T Available Concrete Pumping
This case involved an industrial accident that occurred at the Bechtel Power Plant in Costa Contra County. Plaintiff Salamanca was a 52-year-old laborer who had immigrated to the United States as a teenager. Plaintiff was in a large ditch acting as a hose man for a concrete pump truck that was filling a ditch with a slurry mix in order to protect pipelines for the power plant.
Car Pulled Out In Front Of Motorcyclist On Highway
Verdict: $6.7 Million | Sacramento County Superior Court | Yslas v. Sacramento Rendering Company
This was a wrongful death action involving a 30-year-old hourly construction employee, Richard Yslas. Mr. Yslas was on a motorcycle and was killed when the defendant driver, an employee of Sacramento Rendering Company, pulled out in front of him.
Solar Panel Fell On Plaintiff’s Ankle/Foot
Verdict: $3,436,781 | Tehama County | Lawrence v. Haas, et al.
The plaintiff, a helicopter mechanic, sustained a severe ankle injury when he and his co-workers were attempting to transport a solar panel that was to be installed as part of a home/ranch solar energy project when it fell on his ankle/foot.
Rear-End Motor Vehicle Collision
Verdict: $4.6 Million | Napa County Superior Court | Hurlburt v. Hada
This was a rear-end motor vehicle collision which took place as a result of the plaintiff having to slow for construction and the defendant impacting her car from behind. Defendant admitted liability, but contested the nature and extent of plaintiff’s injuries. Plaintiff claimed a cervical spine injury which resulted in surgery and a lumbar spine injury which also resulted in a surgery.
Construction/Trucking Accident Resulting In A Wrongful Death
Verdict: $5,038,217 | Sacramento County | Escobar v. Mike Lowery Transport
Irrigation district employee Craig Escobar was killed when a tractor-trailer ran over him while he was standing outside his own truck at an asphalt yard. Mr. Escobar left a surviving wife and three sons. The jury found the truck driver and the asphalt yard responsible for the accident.
Bus Driver Broadsided By Rental Car
Verdict: $335,235 | Alameda County | Mahone v. Williams and Enterprise Rent-A-Car Company
Here, the plaintiff was operating a bus when he was broadsided in an intersection by a vehicle owned by Enterprise Rent-A-Car. As a result of the collision, the plaintiff lost consciousness, causing him to lose control of the bus striking two houses near the intersection and sustaining injuries to both shoulders and knees.
Semi-Truck Crossed Median
Verdict: $5.4 Million | Sacramento County | Deleon v. Abella Trucking
This wrongful death and personal injury case involved the tragic death of a 39-year-old husband and father of two when a semi-truck crossed the median causing a head-on accident. Decedent’s wife also suffered injuries in the accident.
Slipped And fell In Unknown Spill
Verdict: $4,633,422 | Sacramento County | Stagis v. Kmart
Plaintiff, an out-of-state resident, slipped and fell in a spill of disputed origin in defendant’s store while shopping for personal items. Plaintiff suffered a non-surgical lumbar disk injury that made it very difficult for him to work full-time as he had routinely done prior to the accident.
Represented The Oakland Raiders And Al Davis
Verdict: $34.2 Million | Sacramento County Superior Court | Oakland Raiders v. Oakland Alameda County Coliseum
This action dealt with a fraud/misrepresentation claim filed by the professional football franchise, the Oakland Raiders, against the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum, along with others, arising out of the Raiders move from Los Angeles to Oakland.
Bus Accident Because Of Smoke
Verdict: $10,257,880 | Sacramento County | Largent v. Frontier Town Lines & Detroit Diesel Corp.
This was, for over 10 years, the largest personal injury verdict ever rendered in Sacramento County, and was the largest verdict for pain and suffering ($8 million).
Low-Impact Accident Caused Spine Surgery
Verdict: $1,230,413 | Sacramento County | Martinelli v. Tratheon and Jones Trucking
This was a minor impact rear end accident where plaintiff sustained a low back injury, requiring surgery.
Big Rig Caused Vehicle To Lose Control
Verdict: $2.25 Million | Yolo County Superior Court | Phelps v. California Movers Express
Represented a 42-year-old single mother who was struck by a vehicle spinning out of control on April 18, 1996. The defendant, a trucking company, denied that their driver had caused the other vehicle to lose control and strike the plaintiff. She suffered neck and back injuries resulting in surgery.
Pedestrian Hit By Turning Bus
Verdict: $5,226,562 | Marin County | Prendergast v. Golden Gate Transportation District
This was, for almost 10 years, the largest verdict for pain and suffering in Marin County history. This is a case involving a 55-year-old pedestrian who was hit by a turning bus while crossing the street. Plaintiff sustained a moderate closed head injury that affected his social functioning and employability.
Motor Vehicle Accident
Verdict: $713,000 | Modoc County | Diddens v. Conners Well Drilling
This case involved a disputed liability motor vehicle accident. Plaintiff was a passenger in a vehicle driven by her husband. Defendant contended that plaintiff was traveling at an excess rate of speed, overreacted to the circumstances, and caused the subject accident. Defendant offered the sum of $100,000 on the first day of trial. Previous offer had been $50,000. Verdict: $713,000 (largest personal injury verdict in Modoc County history). This case was co-tried with Roger A. Dreyer.
Fell On Back Into An Unmarked Trench
Verdict: $7.3 Million | San Francisco County Superior Court | Stringer v. PG&E
This case involved an accident at a construction site. Plaintiff Stringer was a framing contractor working for defendant Hal Porter Homes on a housing tract. Defendant PG&E had dug a service trench to the foundation where Mr. Stringer was to do his framing. While Mr. Stringer was working next to the trench, it caved in causing him to fall into the trench and landing on his back.
Wrongful Death Of Mentally Disabled Man By Drowning
Verdict: $512,825 | Sacramento County | Harris v. Camping Unlimited for Retarded Children, Inc.
This case arose out of the death of the 20-year-old mentally disabled man. The accident occurred when, contrary to defendant’s policies, decedent was left without a lifejacket and beyond the reach of an instructor while he was swimming in the camp pool. Decedent was survived by his parents.
Car Failed To Stop At T Intersection
Verdict: $1,640,116 | Sacramento County | v. Dickerson
This case involved a vehicle accident wherein a mother and daughter were injured when defendant failed to stop at a T intersection. Defendant alleged brake failure of her new Suburban. Plaintiffs proceeded forward on both general negligence and product liability theories.
Construction Zone Improperly Set Up, Causing Collision
Verdict: $6.5 Million | Sacramento County Superior Court | Jungsten v. State of CA and Granite Construction, et al.
This was a wrongful death case involving a 33-year-old off-duty sheriff’s deputy on his way to work in September 1995. He was survived by his wife and two children who were ages 4 and 8 at the time of the trial. Defendant state of California and Granite Construction both took the position that the accident was the fault of Jungsten, claiming that he had been inattentive.
Bicyclist Struck By Pickup Truck
Verdict: $1,152,853 | El Dorado County | Houser v. Pacific Bell and the City of South Lake Tahoe
This case involved a bicyclist who was a 23-year-old engineer for Johnson & Johnson who sustained a closed head injury when struck by a Pacific Bell truck in a poorly marked roadway work area.