Airline crash in Taiwan claimed lives of plaintiffs' parents

Verdict: $15,000,000

Case: Sidney Wu and Christina Wu, individually and as representatives of the Estates of Ching Ying Wu and Richard Tzuen Ren Wu v. Singapore Airlines, Inc., No. CV-01-1752 (WDK)

Court: United States District Court, Central District, Los Angeles, CA

Judge: William D. Keller

Date: 5/7/04

Plaintiff Attorneys: Brian J. Panish, Kevin R. Boyle

Defense Attorneys: Frank A. Silane

Facts & Allegations: On October 31, 2000, plaintiffs' decedents Richard Wu, 58, an executive vice-president, and his wife, Ching Ying Wu, 56, an executive president , were passengers on Singapore Airlines flight number 006 that was leaving Chiang Kai-Shek Airport in Taiwan for Los Angeles.

As the Boeing 747-400 attempted to take off on a closed runway during Typhoon Xangsane, the plane crashed into some construction equipment and the fuselage broke into three sections. Of the 179 people on board the plane (passengers and crew), 82 were killed, including the Wus.

The Wus' two adult children, Sidney, 32, and Christina, 27, sued Singapore Airlines Inc., alleging negligence and wrongful death.

Singapore Airlines stipulated not to contest liability.

Injuries/Damages: death

The Wus claimed noneconomic damages for the wrongful death of their parents. Singapore Airlines suggested that the jury should award each plaintiff $1 million.

Result: The jury found for the Wus and awarded them $15 million in noneconomic damages. Each plaintiff was awarded $3.75 million for the loss of their father and another $3.75 million for the loss of their mother.

Christina Wu: $7,500,000 noneconomic damages

Sidney Wu: $7,500,000 noneconomic damages

Demand: $6,000,000

Offer: $4,000,000

Trial Details: Trial length: 3 days, Jury Deliberations: 1.5 days, Jury poll: 7-0.

Expert(s): None reported.

Product Defects Business Litigation Aviation Disasters Pharmaceutical Litigation Corporate Fraud Government Liability General Personal Injury Wrongful Death Automotive / Tire Defects ATV/ Rhino Rollovers

Latest Firm News

Tilton v. Sempra - $15 million verdict for brain injury to minor resulting from a power company truck hitting a family vehicle.

Dominguez v. San Francisco - $21 million settlement while case was on appeal. Wrongful death of 4 year-old girl. Largest settlement ever paid by San Francisco.

Contreras v. State of California - $9 million settlment for amputation caused by a damaged freeway guardrail.

Don Gino Dominguez v. South Central Los Angeles Regional Care Center - $2 million verdict for wrongful death of a mentally and physically disabled 39 year-old man. Health care center left man unsupervised and he choked to death.

Doe v. Driver - $5.5 million settlement for death of pedestrian in an auto accident.

Doe v. Oil Refinery - $6.2 Million settlement for wrongful death and personal injury caused by the collapse of tank floating roof.

Avila v. Dresick Farms - $5.64 million dollar jury verdict for girl injured in truck v. van collision. Believed to be the largest verdict in the history of Imperial County, California.

Konrad, et al. v. Hewlett-Packard - Lawsuit filed against Hewlett-Packard for pretexting journalists and their families

Chief Warrant Officers v. Boeing, et al. - $13.55 million settlement for Army maintenance officers severely injured in the crash of Apache Longbow helicopter on a maintenance test flight during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq.

Roes v. Doe Auto Manufacturer: confidential multimillion dollar settlement on behalf of a family involved in on-road rollover of sport utility vehicle.

Does v. Van Manufacturer and Rental Company - Confidential multi-million dollar settlement on behalf of the survivors and family members of 14 church group members involved in a fifteen passenger van rollover.

Hill v. Titan Tire - Confidential multi-million dollar settlement for a 42 year old man who sustained brain injuries following a tire failure on his vehicle.

Dominguez v. San Francisco - $27.4 Million Verdict - Mother and 6 others witnessed a city truck driver run over her daughter on a sidewalk. City completely denied responsibility. Largest verdict ever against the City of San Francisco.

Sherman v. Courrege - $25.5 Million Verdict - Wrongful death of mother, father, and son hit by a drunk driver.

Sorenson v. Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway - $2.8 Million Verdict - Plaintiffs were parents of a 48 year-old man killed when a freight train crashed into a commuter train.

Doe v. Auto Manufacturer - Major Confidential Settlement Fuel fed fire caused by defectively designed 15 passenger van rollover. Many occupants killed or severely burned.

Flores v. Continental Tire - Major Confidential Settlement - Woman sustained paraplegia when the right rear tire on the family's Ford Windstar van experienced a tread belt separation, causing the vehicle to roll over.