Case Background

Briana Booth was seriously injured in a traffic collision on February 12, 2018, in Lancaster, California. The crash involved drivers Samantha Delano and Linda Fowler. Witnesses reported that Fowler was speeding and failed to notice a vehicle slowing ahead of her. She braked suddenly and swerved left.

Delano, driving behind Fowler, was allegedly following too closely and could not stop in time. Her vehicle rear-ended Fowler’s truck, then careened across several lanes of traffic. Booth, traveling in a separate lane, swerved to avoid Delano’s vehicle, hit the median, and her car flipped over.

The investigating officer blamed Delano for the rear-end crash. However, witnesses mainly faulted Fowler for inattention and speed.

Cause

Both Delano and Fowler were accused of negligence. Fowler allegedly drove too fast and failed to react in time. Delano allegedly followed too closely and drove too fast to stop safely.

Their combined actions led to a collision that forced Delano’s car into Booth’s path. Booth tried to avoid the crash but lost control and overturned her vehicle.

Booth suffered multiple injuries, the most severe being a shattered L3 vertebra in her spine. She underwent major spinal surgery, during which doctors replaced the vertebra with a metal cage and fused surrounding bones.

Despite the procedure, Booth experienced chronic pain, nerve damage, and partial paralysis in her legs. Doctors testified that her condition would likely worsen over time.

Damages

Booth’s past medical expenses exceed $250,000. Her estimated future medical care costs were over $5 million.

She continued to suffer physical pain, reduced mobility, and loss of sensation in her legs. Doctors raised concerns about the stability of the spinal cage and anticipate future revision surgery. If left untreated, Booth risked permanent paraplegia.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal Representation

• Plaintiff: Briana Booth

• Counsel for Plaintiff: Jonathan Warren Douglass | Jason Paul Fowler

• Expert Witness for Plaintiff: Ricky Alan Sarkisian | Alon Antebi | Tamorah Hunt | Todd D. Moldawer

• Defendants: Samantha Delano | Linda Fowler

• Counsel for Defendants: David Joseph Frankenberger | Brian E. Leach |Stephen Charles Pasarow

• Expert Witness for Defendants: Jason A. Arst | Edward Bennett | Jennifer Craigmyle

Claims

Negligence and Unsafe Operation of Vehicles

Briana Booth claimed that both Samantha Delano and Linda Fowler operated their vehicles negligently, directly causing the 2018 crash. According to the complaint, Fowler was driving too fast and failed to stop in time for a turning vehicle. Delano, following too closely, rear-ended Fowler’s truck. The impact pushed Delano’s vehicle into Booth’s lane, forcing her to swerve, hit the median, and overturn.

Booth alleged that both drivers failed to exercise reasonable care. Their combined negligence created a hazardous situation that led to her injuries. She asserted that the collision, and her resulting trauma, would not have occurred had either defendant acted responsibly. 

Permanent Injury and Medical Harm

Booth suffered a shattered L3 vertebra requiring spinal fusion and placement of a metal cage. She claimed the injury caused chronic pain, nerve damage, and partial paralysis. Medical experts warned of likely deterioration, and Booth is expected to need further surgery.

Punitive Damages

Booth sought punitive damages, arguing the defendants acted with disregard for public safety. Their failure to drive safely created a foreseeable and avoidable risk, justifying further compensation to deter similar conduct.

Legal Costs

Booth also requested compensation for litigation costs, including attorney fees and court expenses. She claimed both defendants refused responsibility and forced her to endure unnecessary legal proceedings.

Defense

Linda Fowler denied causing the crash, stating she was nearly stopped for a turning vehicle when Samantha Delano rear-ended her truck, pushing it leftward. Fowler insisted there was no contact with Booth’s passing car. Her account was backed by her son, an eyewitness, and the police officer, who blamed Delano.

Fowler planned to present expert testimony from an accident reconstructionist and human factors specialist. Dr. Babak Barcohana, her medical expert, acknowledged Booth’s L3 fracture but questioned the surgery’s necessity, citing pre-existing conditions and pregnancy-related symptoms.

Fowler disputed Delano’s claim that she swerved into her lane, maintaining Delano’s rear-end impact caused the crash. She also rejected arguments that Booth contributed by swerving into the median, emphasizing Delano’s actions as the sole cause.

Jury Verdict

On January 4, 2025, a jury awarded Plaintiff Briana Booth $32.5 million in total damages for injuries from a 2018 car crash. The jury found Defendant Samantha Delano 85% at fault and Linda Fowler 15% at fault. Delano was ordered to pay $22,525,000, and Fowler $3,975,000 in non-economic damages.

Booth also received $6 million for future medical expenses, $4.5 million for past non-economic losses, and $22 million for future non-economic losses. The judgment will accrue 10% annual interest until paid, with attorney fees, costs, and pre-judgment interest to be determined later.

Court Documents:

Documents are available for purchase upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com