Man trimming homeowner's olive trees is struck by car; wrongful death. $10M. Butte County.

Summary

Man hired by homeowners to trim olive trees is struck by car while working.

The Case

Case Name: Reynoso, et al. v. Burch, et al.
Court and Case Number: Butte County Superior Court /18CV01433
Date of Verdict or Judgment: Thursday, June 30, 2022
Date Action was Filed: Monday, May 07, 2018
Type of Action: Wrongful Death
Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. Tamara Mosbbarger
Plaintiffs:
Adriana Margarita Reynoso, 49, and two minor children
Defendants:
Rockey Dean Burch
Richard Thompson and Mary Lake-Thompson
Type of Result: Jury Verdict

The Result

Gross Verdict or Award: $10,000,000
Trial or Arbitration Time: 2 weeks

The Attorneys

Attorney for the Plaintiff:
Quirk Law Firm, LLP by Trevor Quirk, Ventura.
Attorney for the Defendant:
Powers Miller by R. James Miller, Roseville.
Matheny Sears by Joseph Muller, Sacramento.

The Experts

Plaintiff's Technical Expert(s):
Chris Gayner, accident reconstruction.
Philip Sidlow, economics.
Defendant's Technical Expert(s):
Rajeev Kelkar, accident reconstruction. (For defendants, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson.)
Andrew Michael O’Brien, vocational rehabilitation. (For defendants, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson.)
Laurence Neuman, accident reconstruction. (For defendant Burch.)
Rickey A. Sarkisian, vocational rehabilitation. (For defendant Burch.)

Facts and Background

Facts and Background:
On or about April 19, 2018 Carlos Gonzalez (decedent), was working with his brother on trimming olive trees on property owned by defendants, the Thompsons, in Oroville.
Defendant Burch was driving a pickup truck when he left the road, struck Mr. Gonzalez, killing him, and then fled the scene. Defendant Burch hit a utility pole with his truck either before or after hitting and killing Mr. Gonzalez. Paramedics declared Mr. Gonzalez dead at the scene.
Plaintiff's Contentions:
That Mr. Gonzalez’s brother was defendants Thompsons’ agent/employee; that defendant driver, homeowners and their gardener were negligent; that the Thompsons were vicariously liable for their agent/employee’s negligence, which resulted in the wrongful death of Mr. Gonzalez.
Defendant's Contentions:
Defendants disputed liability.

Injuries and Other Damages

Physical Injuries claimed by Plaintiff:
Plaintiffs' husband/father was killed.
Depression.

Demands and Offers

Plaintiff §998 Demand: 998 Offer to Compromise to defendants Burch and the Thompsons on September 24, 2020, for $999,999.99 for each plaintiff. Defendants objected and rejected the 998 Offers to Compromise.
Plaintiff Final Demand before Trial: Plaintiffs made a policy limits demand to defendants Richard Thompson and Mary Lake-Thompson on September 7, 2018. AMCO rejected the demand.
Defendant Final Offer before Trial: Defendant Burch offered his liability policy limit of $100,000 to plaintiffs on June 22, 2018. Plaintiffs did not accept.

Additional Notes

Workers' compensation insurance claim was denied as the insurer claimed plaintiff was not working.

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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.