A verdict of $1,746,000 was given to the mother and stepbrother of a 13-year-old boy who was struck and it by a car while he was walking to school.
Robert W. Johnson & Associates was retained to present non-economic testimony to establish a range of values to assist the jury in calculating the loss of love, care, comfort, society, etc. to the surviving mother and stepbrother of the wrongful death of their son/brother, Cesar Zepeda.
Location: Los Angeles, California
Case: Maria Zepeda, et al. v. Victor Ayala, et al.
Court: Los Angeles Superior Central West, Los Angeles County, California
Plaintiff’s Attorneys: Herbert L. Michel, Jr.; Los Angeles, California.
Case Synopsis: On February 18, 1993, Cesar Zepeda, a 13-year-old male, was walking in a crosswalk on a green light when the defendant’s tractor/ trailer rig, driven by codefendant, struck Cesar. The boy died at the scene. Cesar had been on his way to school and was accompanied by his stepbrother who observed the death. Cesar’s mother, Maria Zepeda, is a single parent who worked two jobs as a domestic to support her family.
Attorney Comments: “I want to thank you and your fine office for your expert services in this matter which included you testifying as an expert witness. By far, the jury believed you over the expert offered by the defendant. It was important the jury heard your testimony stating that 13-year-old Cesar could have provided $133,000 in potential lost economic support to his mother, especially when the opposing economic expert said that the lost support was less than $10,000.”
Results: The plaintiff demanded the policy limits of $750,000. The defendants offered $150,000. Verdict was for $1,746,000 to the mother and stepbrother. |
