Miles, Sears & Eanni attorney Richard Watters received a verdict of $12.5 million in the personal injury case of Susan Reyes v. Lion Raisins, Inc., et al.
Plaintiff Susan Reyes was driving on SR-99 in Bakersfield, California behind a Lion Raisins, Inc. Tractor trailer. The trailer was transporting a load of empty crates when a corner iron came off and flew through the windshield of Mrs. Reyes’s vehicle. As a result, plaintiff sustained a bone penetrating brain injury, putting her at a Glasgow coma scale of 3, the lowest a person can have and still be alive.
As a result of her injuries, Mrs. Reyes took a medical retirement from her job as a Teacher on Special Assignment at Fresno Unified School District.
Following the accident, the plaintiff began to suffer from seizures. The defense claimed that these seizures could be cured, allowing her to return to work and get her driver’s license back. However, following this claim, Mrs. Reyes had three documented seizures, two of which occurred during the course of trial. The plaintiff’s primary treating neurologist opined that these seizures could not be managed without medication.
The defense admitted liability during the three week trial. In the end, the jury came back with a verdict awarding $11.526 million to Mrs. Reyes, and $350,000 to her husband for loss of consortium.
The judgment was satisfied in May of 2012 when the defendant paid $12.5 million cash.
