Eggshell plaintiff gets hit by driver making U-turn. $107K. San Diego County.

Summary

Allstate makes lowball offer and claims that plaintiff exaggerated his injury.

The Case

Case Name: Kirsch v. Li
Court and Case Number: San Diego Superior Court / 2018-46128
Date of Verdict or Judgment: Thursday, July 22, 2021
Date Action was Filed: Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Type of Action: Vehicles - Auto vs. Auto, Vehicles - U Turn
Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. Carolyn Caietti
Plaintiffs:
Mark Kirsch
Defendants:
Yulin Li
GCP CIMIC CLINPLUS USA, INC.
Type of Result: Jury Verdict

The Result

Gross Verdict or Award: $107,475.62
Net Verdict or Award: $107,475.62
Contributory/Comparative Negligence: None.
Economic Damages:
Past medical expenses: $57,475.62
Non-Economic Damages:
Past: $50,000
Trial or Arbitration Time: 4 days
Jury Deliberation Time: 3 hours and 15 minutes
Jury Polls: 12-0 on all questions.
Post Trial Motions & Post-Verdict Settlements: None.

The Attorneys

Attorney for the Plaintiff:
Rejali Law Firm, APC by Omid Rejali, San Diego.
Attorney for the Defendant:
Law Offices of Micaela De la Carta by Jay Nunez, San Diego.

The Experts

Plaintiff’s Medical Expert(s):
Yogesh Patel, M.D., pain management, Carlsbad. (Treating physician.)
Erik S. Viirre, neurology, San Diego. (Treating physician.)
Defendant's Medical Expert(s):
Robert Eastlack, orthopedic surgery.
Jonathan Schleimer, neurology.

Facts and Background

Facts and Background:
On October 6, 2016 plaintiff was driving on Cannon Road when defendant Yulin Li, while in the course and scope of her employment, made an illegal turn in front of plaintiff's vehicle, causing the two vehicles to collide.
Plaintiff was 68 years old at the time and was retired. He suffered from prior shoulder injuries (prior rotator cuff surgery in 2012); prior neck issues; prior back problems; prior right wrist problems and prior head injuries.
Plaintiff's Contentions:
Plaintiff contended that his back, right wrist and low back all got worse as a result of the collision, but that with three months of treatment went back to baseline.
Plaintiff contended that his neck pain got worse because he was suffering from an inflamed facet injury, which required ongoing pain management treatment, specifically radiofrequency ablation treatment to burn the nerves.
Plaintiff also contended that he suffered a mild TBI and was susceptible to injury because of his prior history of head injuries. Plaintiff contended that his head injury caused his vertigo to become more frequent and more severe and last longer.
Defendant's Contentions:
Liability was stipulated.
That plaintiff suffered a sprain/strain. That plaintiff did not suffer a concussion. That plaintiff's treatment was excessive, unnecessary and not reasonable. That plaintiff was not truthful.

Injuries and Other Damages

Physical Injuries claimed by Plaintiff:
Right wrist pain; low back pain; neck pain; concussion; left shoulder pain.

Special Damages

Special Damages Claimed - Past Medical: $96,000
Special Damages Claimed - Future Medical: $640,000

Additional Notes

Allstate's final offer was $7,700.

Plaintiff's counsel was hired by plaintiff three weeks before the initial trial date after his two prior attorneys had dropped his case.

Update: Allstate agreed to pay $2558.82 in costs.

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Disclaimer

This is not an official court document. While the publisher believes the information to be accurate, the publisher does not guarantee it and the reader is advised not to rely upon it without consulting the official court documents or the attorneys of record in this matter who are listed above.