$7.47M Demand Ends in Complete Defense Verdict

Gina Y. Kandarian-Stein, K. Robert Gonter, Jr., and Melika Shafouri secured a complete defense verdict following a 20-day jury trial in Los Angeles County.

Liability was admitted in a four-vehicle rear-end collision involving significant property damage. The plaintiff claimed that the accident left her unable to continue working as a dentist and sought substantial damages for alleged spinal, neurological, and vestibular injuries. She ultimately asked the jury to award $7.4 million, including more than $3 million in claimed past and future lost earnings and earning capacity.

The defense presented evidence of pre-existing low-back pain and dizziness and challenged both causation and the claimed loss of earnings. Evidence also showed that the plaintiff continued working after the accident and that another dental practice was purchased following the accident.

Defense experts testified that the spinal findings were degenerative rather than traumatic, the surgery was unrelated to the accident, future treatment was unnecessary, and the claimed loss of earnings was speculative.

After approximately 2.5 hours of deliberations, the jury found that the defendant’s negligence was not a substantial factor in causing the claimed harm.

Final result: complete defense verdict. $0 awarded.