Tanaka jury verdict summaries
Marshall Tanaka, a 41-year-old, was driving home from work when he came to a stop on the freeway due to traffic congestion. The vehicle directly behind him also stopped but was suddenly struck by a large van resulting in a fire that engulfed both vehicles. The doors of Marshall’s minivan were jammed shut by the collision, and he had no choice but to jump out the rear hatch where his car was on fire. He was immediately engulfed in flames over most of his body and rolled to the side of the freeway while Good Samaritans stopped to render aid.
Mr. Tanaka spent 6 weeks in the intensive care burn unit at Los Angeles General Medical Center where he was expertly cared for by the first-class doctors and nurses in the burn unit. He underwent 18 painful surgeries, including multiple skin grafts. He suffered burns to approximately 35% of his body. The nurses and doctors at the hospital were impressed with Marshall’s tenacity during the painful ordeal of his recovery.
The driver that caused the crash was under the influence of alcohol and marijuana and fled the scene of the crash on foot. He was apprehended by the CHP a mile away from the crash site where he was arrested, booked and ultimately pled guilty to serious felony crimes. Tragically, the defendant had a crowbar in his vehicle which he could have used to extricate our client from his burning car and greatly minimize his injuries. Under California law, motorists have a legal duty to stop and render aid when they’re involved in an accident that results in injuries. The defendant was later convicted of several felonies and spent 5 years in State prison.
For over 8 months, the defendant’s automobile insurance company denied that there was any coverage in place. Mr. Vanni did not trust their analysis and fought hard to uncover the fact that there was insurance. He later learned that defendant carried only the California minimum of $15,000 in liability coverage. The insurance company did not accept his demand for settlement, and thus the case went all the way to a jury trial. At trial, Marshall’s treating burn doctor, who had cared for him for the past five-and-a-half years, passionately testified in support of his patient. The defense lawyer tried to blame the fire that resulted from the crash on a poorly designed gas tank in the vehicle behind Marshall. The jury soundly rejected the defense trial tactics and awarded a verdict in the total amount of $30,774,365.63, which included $10 million for Marshall’s past suffering, $20 million for future suffering, and $774,365.63 for past medical expenses.
This jury verdict of over $30 million stands as a record for personal injury verdicts in the West Covina Courthouse, which has been in operation for over 50 years.
From the moment Mr. Vanni met Marshall at the hospital, he committed to doing all within his power to make sure that justice was served.
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