Press Release -
Avila v. Dresick Farms, et al., Case No. L-00916
Panish Shea & Boyle announces $5.64 million verdict for a 15 year-old girl hit by a Dresick Farms commercial truck
September 10, 2007
Today an Imperial County, California jury awarded a $5.64 million verdict to Teresa Gonzalez who was horribly injured when the family van she was riding in was hit by a Dresick Farms commercial truck when she was 15 years-old. Theresa is now 21 years-old. This is believed to be the largest personal injury verdict in the history of Imperial County, California.
The accident happened in Imperial County, California in 2001. The Dresick Farms truck allegedly ran a stop sign and hit the Gonzalez family mini-van, causing it to roll repeatedly. The Dresick Farms truck pierced through the side of the mini-van and literally struck Teresa in the face. Teresa suffered facial avulsion degloving (that is, the flesh of her face was torn off) and several fractures to her face and skull, and mild traumatic brain injury. She has so far had 21 different surgical procedures performed on her face. The defendant, Dresick Farms, fought liability for six years, but finally admitted that they were fully responsible shortly before the trial. The trial proceeded on the sole issue of the amount of damages to be awarded.
The trial lasted approximately one month, and the jury deliberated for two days. The case was pending in the Superior Court of California for the County of Imperial before The Honorable Chris Yeager.
Plaintiff Theresa Gonzalez was represented at trial by Brian Panish, Jim Hoey, and Spencer Lucas.
Plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish stated: "This has been a long road for Teresa and her family. It is unfortunate that this defendant and its insurance company forced this young woman to fight them for over six years. But I'm proud of her strength to stand up for her rights and know that the financial recovery will greatly assist her and help her to move forward with life."
