Gonzalez v. Rockwell et. al

Parties Involved

  • Plaintiffs: Marielena Gonzalez
    • Counsel for Plaintiffs: Benjamin D. Swanson | Robert T. Simon | Brandon J. Simon | Zaneta Conroy
  • Defendants: Leslie Andres Rockwell | D-Line Logistics, Inc. | Does 1 – 30 inclusive
    • Counsel for Defendants: John P. Cotter

Verdict Information

  • Verdict Date: February 02, 2024
  • Total Damages Awarded to Plaintiff: $2,640,000
    • Past medical expenses: $390,000
    • Future medical expenses: $400,000
    • Past non-economic damages: $1,000,000
    • Future non-economic damages: $850,000

About the Case

Cause

Leslie Andres Rockwell was an employee of D-Line Logistics Inc. On August 9, 2017, in the course of his employment, Rockwell was authorized to operate his employer’s motor vehicle at S. Harbour Wy and Hoffman Boulevard, Richmond, California.

On that day, Rockwell failed to comply with California Vehicle Code Section 21453(a), which requires drivers to stop at a red light. He ran a red light, colliding with Marielena Gonzalez’s (plaintiff) vehicle. The collision caused serious bodily injuries and damages to the plaintiff.

The plaintiff filed a property damage and personal injury lawsuit against the defendants on July 18, 2019. She alleged that all the defendants had acted negligently, carelessly, and recklessly and in doing so had caused her physical injuries and monetary losses.

Injury

The defendants’ negligence directly and proximately caused the plaintiff to sustain physical injuries in the vehicular collision. Further, she incurred hospital and medical expenses for treating her injuries. She also suffered a loss in earning capacity and lost wages. The collision also resulted in damages to her vehicle.

Damages

Under the complaint filed in this personal injury lawsuit, the case was categorized as an unlimited civil case, implying that the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000. The plaintiff prayed for a judgment against the defendants and requested compensatory damages, pre-judgment interest according to proof, cost of the suit, and other damages. She also prayed for other fair and equitable relief.

Jury Verdict

On February 2, 2024, a 12-panel California jury found the defendants guilty of negligence, which directly caused harm to the plaintiff. They awarded the plaintiff $2,640,000 in damages. Out of this $2.6 million, the jury awarded $390,000 in past medical expenses, $400,000 in future medical expenses, $1,0oo,ooo in past non-economic damages, and $850,000 in future non-economic damages.

On May 3, 2024, the court granted a motion for a new trial only for past and future non-economic damages, unless the plaintiff accepted a $420,000 reduction in the original jury verdict. The plaintiff accepted the reduced judgment on May 7, 2024. Therefore, on May 14, 2024, the court entered an amended final judgment. The court ordered Marielena Gonzalez to recover only $2,220,000 from defendants Leslie Andres Rockwell and D-Line Logistics, Inc., plus costs and interest.

Court Documents:

Available upon request