Defendant ran stop sign / Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression.

RESULT: $222,500
TYPE: Jury Trial

COUNTY: Orange
COURT: Orange County Superior Court
CASE NAME: Joell M. Farrugia v. Miguel Rocha and North County Vending, Inc.
CASE NO.: 00CC04408
JUDGE: David R. Chaffee

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY(S):
Law Offices of Maro Burunsuzyan, by Maro Burunsuzyan, Glendale, (818) 507-5188.

DEFENSE ATTORNEY(S):
Michael Maguire & Associates, by Dawn Marie Lee, Costa Mesa.

INSURANCE COMPANY: State Farm Insurance Company

PLAINTIFF EXPERT(S):
Jeffrey Schaffer, Ph.D., Neuropsychologist, Los Angeles.
John B. Dorsey, M.D., Orthopaedist, Mission Viejo.
Kenneth L. Nudleman, M.D., Neurologist, Santa Ana.
Tamorah Hunt, Ph.D., Economist, Santa Ana.

DEFENSE EXPERT(S):
Richard D. Dauben, M.D., Neurologist, Orange.
Edward A. Abraham, M.D., Orthopaedist, Santa Ana.

DAMAGES:
Medicals: (Past) Approximately $19,000. (Future) Approximately $20,000 - $40,000.
LOE: (Past) Approximately $11,000. (Future) Approximately $50,000.

FACTS/CONTENTIONS:
According to plaintiff: Plaintiff, Joell M. Farrugia, a 34-year-old (now) business development manager, sustained fracture of her left fifth finger, myofascial pain syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, following an auto accident on September 15, 1999, wherein defendant failed to stop at the stop sign of Teller and Dupont in Irvine. Liability was not disputed at trial. Defendants argued that plaintiff sustained only soft tissue injuries and should be awarded no more than $25,000.

JURY POLL: 12-0; causation / 10-12; economic / 9-12; non-economic.

TRIAL TIME: 4 days.

JURY OUT: 2 ½ hours.

VERDICT: 05/11/01