[November 12, 2012]

Callahan & Blaine Announces MTA Pays $3.5 Million to Settle Claim by Injured Pedestrian

Today, Callahan & Blaine announced the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority ("MTA") finalized a $3.5 million settlement with a 28-year-old Los Angeles woman for personal injuries arising from a bus accident. The Request for Dismissal was filed today in the case, Lopez v. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LASC Case No. BC 460008), and the $3.5 million settlement funds were formally paid by the MTA.

According to court filings, an MTA bus driver made a right turn at an intersection and struck the woman as she was walking with her daughter in a crosswalk on a green light. The crosswalk was at Cesar Chavez Blvd., across from Union Station in Los Angeles. The bus ran over the woman's foot, crushing it. The woman's foot is scarred, but functions. The child suffered minor injuries.

Plaintiff Jenny Lopez was represented by Daniel J. Callahan, Brian J. McCormack and Sarah C. Serpa of the Santa Ana, Calif.-based law firm of Callahan & Blaine.

According to Callahan, the MTA intended to present video evidence that Lopez did not press the "pedestrian button" before he crossed, and did not look to the left where the bus was located before crossing. He said the MTA also intended to present video evidence that the Plaintiff and her daughter darted out in front of the bus before the bus driver had time to notice them.

Callahan expressed his pleasure with the settlement, stating: "This was a very significant injury suffered by our client. At the very least, she will now be able to address the quality of life issues caused by the accident and live comfortably for the rest of her life." Callahan further stated, "Given some of the adverse facts and defenses available to the MTA, this was an excellent resolution."

The MTA Board has approved the settlement and the matter is being dismissed today by the Plaintiff as a result of the payment of the funds.

Callahan previously represented two women in a record-breaking $50 million settlement against the City of Dana Point for injuries suffered while jogging down Pacific Coast Highway. That settlement is the highest personal injury settlement ever in United States history. (Neria v. City of Dana Point, Orange County, CA (News - Alert) Superior Court, Case No. 06CC10395).

Callahan also obtained the highest jury verdict in Orange County history, $934 million, representing Beckman Coulter of Fullerton, Calif., in a business dispute with Flextronics, a large multi-billion dollar corporation in Northern California (Beckman Coulter Inc. v. Flextronics Int'l Ltd., Orange (News - Alert) County Super. Ct. No. 01CC08395).

About Callahan & Blaine:

Callahan & Blaine is California's Premier Litigation Firm and one of the leading complex personal injury and business litigation firms in the state of California. In the last five years, Callahan & Blaine lawyers have obtained over $1.2 billion in verdicts and settlements. Based in Orange County, California, Callahan & Blaine handles commercial litigation cases nationwide. For more information, visit www.callahan-law.com.

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