Plaintiff develops Complex Regional Pain Syndrome at her wrist. She overcompensates, and she needs rotator-cuff surgery.
Plaintiff was hit in the neck at Pasadena’s intersection on December 15, 2016 when defendant ran a stop sign. Plaintiff sustained injuries to her neck and lower back as a result of collision (CMC joint).
Case Details
- Case Name: Beckman v. Laguna
- Court and case number: Los Angeles Superior Court/ 18STCV06228
- Judgment or Verdict Date: Thursday, June 30, 2022
- Date Action Filed: Tuesday November 27, 2018
- Types of Action: Cars Accident – Auto Vs. Auto
- Judge/Arbitrator(s),Hon. Gregory Alarcon
- Plaintiffs: Patricia Beckman
- Defendants: Omar Laguna
- Type: Jury Verdict
Verdict and Settlement
- Award or Gross Verdict:$866.092.99
- Economic Damages Past medical expenses: $166 092.99Future medical expenses: $150,000
- Non-Economic Damages: Past: $150,000Future: $400,000
- Arbitration or Trial Time:2 Weeks
- Jury Deliberation:5 Hours
Personal Injury Lawyers
- Attorney for the Plaintiff Panish Shea Boyle Ravipudi LLP, Los Angeles by Jon Davidi Lederer & Nojima, LLP by Eddie Dennis, Los Angeles.
- Advocate for the Defendant Knapp Petersen & Clarke, Glendale by Kevin Stack
Expert Witnesses
- Plaintiff’s Medical Expert(s).Babak Samimi M.D. Orthopedic surgery. Lara Edinger D.O. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- The Medical Expert(s), Defendant: Nicholas Rose, M.D. Hand Orthopedics. Joshua Prager M.D. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).Rocco Calderon M.D. Neck and back orthotics. Neil Chafetz, M.D., radiology.
- The Technical Experts of Plaintiff: None.
- Technical Expert(s), Defendant: Tami Rockholt is a medical billing specialist.
Lawyers’ Closing Arguments
- Plaintiff’s Contentions: Plaintiff claimed that her injuries were all related to the incident, and that she would require future treatment for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
- Defendant’s Contentions: Although defendant admitted to fault, he claimed that plaintiff suffered minor strain/sprain injuries that required only a few weeks of treatment. Plaintiff’s post-incident MRI revealed preexisting degenerative arthritic conditions, which were the reason for her ongoing hand pain. She would have required surgery anyway. Plaintiff also claimed that she didn’t have CRPS, and that even if she did, her treatment was too excessive. Defendant said that her future treatment recommendations were not justified. The plaintiff’s right shoulder injury was unrelated to the other injuries she claimed, and plaintiff was exaggerating her claims.
Personal Injuries and Damages
- Plaintiff claims physical injuries Neck strain, low back strain and left shoulder strain. Left CMC joint arthritis. Complex regional pain syndrome. Right shoulder rotator tear. Conservative treatment was successful in resolving Plaintiff’s neck, low back and left shoulder injuries. The left hand CMC pain in her left hand continued to persist and she had to undergo a CMC joint replacement 3 1/2 years later after the collision. Although the surgery temporarily relieved her pain, it didn’t stop the pain from returning. The treating surgeon of plaintiff was concerned that plaintiff might be developing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). After the collision, plaintiff was finally diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) 4 1/2 years later. Plaintiff was unable to use her left arm and hand due to her injuries. She suffered a torn rotator wrist. This required arthroscopic surgery five years later.
Additional Notes
The highest pre-trial offer made by defendant was $75,000.
