Los Angeles, CA – A Los Angeles County jury has awarded $21.3 million to Leila Miyamoto, a woman who suffered severe spinal injuries after her car was hit from behind by a tractor trailer. The decision came after a riveting courtroom battle that pitted some of the nation’s top trial lawyers against each other.
The trial, which was meticulously recorded by Courtroom View Network, began on January 17. Miyamoto’s legal team argued that the driver of the Services Group of America truck was distracted and fatigued, leading to the 2016 crash as Miyamoto was stopped, waiting to make a left turn. The defense, however, contended that Miyamoto had stopped abruptly, causing the collision.
Renowned plaintiff attorney Nick Rowley of Trial Lawyers For Justice spearheaded Miyamoto’s legal battle, while defense attorney Dana Fox of Lewis Brisbois stood for Services Group of America. The trial drew attention not only for its high stakes but also for showcasing legal tactics before the era of widespread dashcam use.
In rejecting a settlement offer from the defense over the weekend, Rowley remained confident in their case. He disclosed that they had declined a $9 million settlement offer, as well as a high/low agreement that ranged from $5 million to $15 million. Including accrued interest, Rowley projected the verdict could exceed $35 million, though the final award was less than the $70 million he initially anticipated.
Rowley expressed that despite the large award, obtaining it was far from straightforward. The defense challenged the credibility of Miyamoto’s injuries, particularly emphasizing her psychological and cognitive conditions like PTSD and a concussion, which they claimed she exaggerated. However, advanced imaging and expert testimonies eventually helped substantiate her claims, portraying the profound impact these injuries had on her life.
“The defense deployed every conceivable tactic against us,” Rowley reflected. They even placed Miyamoto under private surveillance in hopes of disproving her claims of dependency due to her injuries. Such aggressive defense strategies underscored the contentious nature of this trial.
Supporting Miyamoto alongside Rowley was Keith Bruno of Bruno | Nalu: Orange County Trial Lawyers. The trial proceedings were overseen by Judge J. Stephen Czuleger in the Los Angeles County Superior Court under the case number BC681937, officially titled Leila Miyamoto v. Services Group of America Inc.
This report reflects the complexities faced in civil trial cases today, especially those involving severe injuries and high-stakes corporate defense strategies. It serves as a crucial example of the ongoing challenges within the American legal system regarding liability, personal injury, and corporate responsibility.
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