At the start of trial in the Jerich v. City of Glendale matter on Wednesday, the case resolved for a settlement of $6.5 million. This is believed to be one of the highest personal injury settlements in Los Angeles County for someone 90 years of age.
Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP trial lawyers Brian Panish and Spencer Lucas started work on this case three weeks ago when the City of Glendale was attempting to place blame on 90-year-old Margaret Jerich, who was struck and then run over by a city garbage truck while she had the right of way in a crosswalk in broad daylight. Co-counsel Michael Goldstein, who has represented Ms. Jerich since shortly after the October 22, 2015 incident, brought in Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP to try the case after the City of Glendale continued to blame Ms. Jerich for the incident.
After conducting 12 expert and treating doctor depositions, the PSBR trial team forced the City of Glendale, and its insurers, to accept full responsibility for the collision and Ms. Jerich’s resulting injuries.
“We are satisfied that the City of Glendale has owned up to their responsibility and agreed to compensate Ms. Jerich for her life-changing injuries,” said Spencer Lucas, attorney for the plaintiff. “Ms. Jerich is an extremely brave woman who not only survived this terrible incident but didn’t back down to the intimidation of the City. This case has forced a safety investigation to ensure that something like this doesn’t happen in the future.”
With this settlement, Ms. Jerich will be able to move out of her inadequate accommodations at a convalescent hospital and into the residence of her choice with 24-hour care.