On December 17, 2014, Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP attorneys Brian Panish and Deborah Chang obtained a $7,500,000 jury verdict for the mother of a young woman who was tragically killed when she was hit by a FedEx truck while riding her bicycle. This is believed to be a record verdict in Orange County wrongful death case involving the death of an adult child.
22-year-old Chelsea Joy Kashergen was struck and killed by a FedEx Ground home delivery vehicle on June 20, 2013, while riding her bicycle in her Fullerton neighborhood. The verdict was for the loss of the relationship between the mother and daughter. Shortly before trial, FedEx admitted that it was at fault for Ms. Kashergen death, but heavily disputed how much the relationship between mother and daughter was worth. The evidence presented at trial focused on the unique and extraordinary relationship between the two women. Before trial, FedEx offered the plaintiff $750,000. The Orange County jury awarded her 10 times more than that.