City truck runs over beachgoer. $2.3 million. Los Angeles County.

Gross Verdict or Award: $2,328,954.50
Economic Damages: $253,642
Non-Economic Damages: $2,075,312.50
Trial or Arbitration Time: 6 days.
Jury Deliberation Time: 1 day.
Jury Polls: 12-0 as to liability and damages.

Summary

Man sleeping on beach in Long Beach is run over by city truck. City says he should have known that trucks operate where he was sleeping.

Attorney for the Plaintiff:
GIRARDI & KEESE by David R. Lira and Alexandra Steele, Los Angeles.
Attorney for the Defendant:
Long Beach City Attorney's office by Monte Machit and Nicholas Masero.

Plaintiff’s Medical Expert(s):
Jacob Tauber, M.D., orthopedics, Beverly Hills.
Defendant's Medical Expert(s):
Thomas Schmalzried, M.D., orthopedics, Los Angeles.

Facts and Background:
On February 4, 2014 at 10:00 am, plaintiff was asleep on the beach when a City pick-up truck operated by defendant Delaney ran over him.
Plaintiff's Contentions:
That defendant Delaney, in the course and scope of his employment for the City, was negligent in the operation of the City pick-up truck by failing to keep a proper lookout for beachgoers. That plaintiff suffered serious injuries.
Defendant's Contentions:
Defendants contended that plaintiff was negligent for sleeping on a known truck route on the beach. Defendants also alleged that plaintiff made an excellent recovery with no residual symptoms.

Physical Injuries claimed by Plaintiff:
Fractures of the pelvic ring requiring open reduction with internal fixation. Fractures of L1-L4; no surgical intervention.