In a landmark personal injury case, Sweet James, a Newport Beach-based law firm, secured a record-breaking $17.4 million verdict on behalf of two sisters injured in a serious car accident in Kings County, California. The octogenarian plaintiffs, Gayle Dutton, 89, and Barbara Musick, 81, were represented by attorneys Bobby Taghavi and Ashkahn Mohamadi. This ruling stands as the highest verdict in the county’s history.
The incident occurred on February 6, 2023, when a city employee, driving a tree-trimming Ford F450 truck, ran a stop sign at 51 miles per hour and crashed into the vehicle the women were in. The driver, Damian Rolando Espinoza, was allegedly encouraged by a passenger to drive recklessly. The crash left both sisters hospitalized for over a week with severe injuries. Gayle Dutton suffered multiple orthopedic injuries as well as severe traumatic brain injury, and reportedly came close to death. Barbara Musick suffered multiple orthopedic injuries as well as moderate traumatic brain injury. Due to their advanced age, the sisters were unable to undergo the suggested surgeries, leaving them to endure chronic pain and physical limitations for the rest of their lives.
Despite initial offers from Hanford to settle at $7.65 million, the case proceeded to trial. Sweet James attorneys emphasized the vitality and independence of the elderly plaintiffs before the accident, noting their engagement in activities such as gardening, woodworking, and even tractor driving on their 10-acre property. This portrayal countered arguments suggesting that the plaintiffs’ advanced age diminished the impact of their injuries. Mohamadi argued that these women, despite their age, enjoyed an unusually active lifestyle that was drastically altered by the accident.
A crucial element in the trial was the testimony of the plaintiff’s medical experts, including a neuropsychologist, an orthopedic surgeon, a life care planning physician and a pain medicine physician. These experts detailed the extensive injuries suffered by the sisters, underscoring the life-altering consequences of the collision. Additionally, access to surveillance footage capturing the crash proved instrumental, as it led Hanford to admit liability once the video was introduced in discovery.
The $17.4 million verdict reflects a thoughtful assessment of the plaintiffs’ robust physical health, fitness, and active lifestyle prior to the accident—and the profound loss of this vitality and independence afterward. The breakdown of the compensation for the plaintiffs included:
- Future Medical Expenses: $3.6 million
- Past Pain, Mental Anguish, and Physical Impairment: $5.2 million
- Future Pain, Mental Anguish, and Physical Impairment: $8.2 million
The verdict represents a significant milestone for personal injury plaintiffs in Kings County, a region historically viewed as a challenging venue for high-value verdicts. This case highlights how compelling medical testimony and credible evidence can impact outcomes, emphasizing the value of expert witnesses in supporting plaintiffs’ claims. The substantial verdict underscores a precedent for meaningful compensation and justice, especially in traditionally conservative jurisdictions.
