# 1301059, Adriana Ricardez v. Clifton McCorkendale et al. filed 6/18/08

Plaintiff’s Attorneys: Torsten M. Bassell, Nicole Lari-Joni & Alan H. Fenton

Result: $2,979,831.02                                            Dept. 6, Hon. Denise de Bellefeuille

Plaintiff was returning to Santa Barbara from a Ventura training session in her position as a medical assistant for the County of Santa Barbara when traffic slowed to a stop on northbound 101 near Summerland.  Plaintiff alleged that Defendant Tedesco did not stop in time, causing an impact with Plaintiff‘s vehicle that then struck the vehicle in front of her.  Plaintiff alleged that Defendant McCorkendale then struck Defendant Tedesco causing a second impact with the rear of Plaintiff’s vehicle.  Defendant Tedesco maintained that he was stopped behind Plaintiff’s vehicle before being hit by Defendant McCorkendale causing only one impact with Plaintiff’s vehicle and his vehicle.  Plaintiff sustained injures to her neck and back that required physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, two discectomies at the L5-S1 level, a temporary spinal cord simulator, and  future medical treatment for a one-level spinal fusion.  The jury determined there were two impacts to the rear of Plaintiff’s vehicle and the Tedesco vehicle and awarded Plaintiff $159,000 past medical expenses;  $284,125.46 past lost earnings;  $415,000 future medical expenses;  $667,000 future lost earning;  $390,000 future additional economic damages (lost retirement benefits);  $226,000 past pain and suffering;  $1,750,000 future pain and suffering for a total of $3,890, 625.46.  Defendant McCorkendale settled with Plaintiff pre-trial, terms of settlement confidential.    The County of Santa Barbara filed an action for intervention asserting a lien for payment of workers compensation benefits totaling $248,600 , then  accepted a  $52,000 statutory 998 offer to compromise from Defendants Tedesco and Farmers.  Post-trial, the court reduced the jury verdict based on set-offs, deductions, apportionments and/or credits.  Plaintiff’s motion for cost of proof attorney’s fees and memo of cost yet to be determined.