The fact that we were able to vindicate Mr. Casillas’ doubts after this catastrophic event is uplifting. We will never be able to make Mr. Casillas whole, but this jury brought him justice and peace of mind. -Kevin Danesh, attorney for Mr. Casillas
Beverly Hills, California (PRWEB) January 31, 2015
A Los Angeles bicyclist who lost his left leg below the knee was awarded $34,555,220 after a big rig struck him and crushed his left leg. The Plaintiff, Alan Casillas, was represented at trial by Brian Panish, Thomas Schultz, Erika Contreras and Deborah Chang of Panish Shea & Boyle LLP and Sean Banafsheh, Kevin Danesh, and Raphael Javid, of Banafsheh Danesh and Javid, P.C. (BD&J).
Casillas, then 19 years old, and now 21, was riding his bicycle to a friend’s house to play the video game “Call of Duty: Black Ops II” on the morning of December 7, 2012. According to court documents, a big rig being driven on behalf of Landstar Ranger by Francisco Azurdia went over part of the sidewalk during a right turn from Tweedy Boulevard to Alameda Street, striking Mr. Casillas and crushing his left leg. The rear wheels of the trailer ran over Mr. Casillas' left leg, causing him severe injuries which resulted in a lower leg amputation.
Landstar waited until the start of trial to admit fault for the incident, initially arguing that Mr. Casillas, a pedestrian, was partially responsible for being hit while on the sidewalk because he should have avoided the semi-truck trailer that was coming at him. According to court documents, Landstar challenged the extent of Mr. Casillas' damages, telling the jury during closing arguments that Mr. Casillas should be awarded between approximately $5,000,000 and $7,000,000. The jury disagreed with Landstar when they awarded Mr. Casillas $27,875,000 for past and future pain and suffering, $5,941,581 for past and future medical expenses, and $738,639 for past and future loss of earnings.
"When the Landstar Ranger smashed Mr. Casillas' left leg they crushed his dreams and rather than accept responsibility for their negligence, they chose to blame a young 19 year old pedestrian on a Los Angeles sidewalk. This jury properly awarded Mr. Casillas" said attorney, Sean Banafsheh. Attorney Raphael Javid added, "Our client deserved every penny of verdict. Mr. Casillas is a very sympathetic young man who will have to live with the most severe injury for the remainder of his life which will only get worse over time."
Defendants were represented at trial by James Yukevich of Yukevich Cavanaugh.
Banafsheh Danesh & Javid (BD&J) is a plaintiff's personal injury law firm that is committed to helping victims of accidents. For more than 30 years combined, BD&J lawyers have successfully represented the rights and interests of individuals who have injuries as the result of the negligence of others. BD&J prides themselves on their unmatched record of success in injury cases.
Alan Casillas v. Landstar Ranger, Inc.; Francisco Azurdia. Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. Case No. BC 500485. Hon. Elizabeth Allen White, Dept. 48.
BANAFSHEH DANESH & JAVID, P.C.
Sean Banafsheh
Kevin Danesh
Raphael Javid
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Source: Banafsheh Danesh & Javid, P.C.