Kristina Cordi vs. The Production Truck Inc., et al.

Case Background

Kristina Cordi filed a personal injury lawsuit against The Production Truck, Inc. and Rafael Erazo in the California Superior Court, Los Angeles County. Judges Laura A. Seigle, Anne Hwang, Michelle C. Kim, Michael E. Whitaker, and Jill Feeney presided over this negligence lawsuit. [Case Number: 19STCV12877]

Cause

Kristina Cordi alleges that The Production Truck, Inc. and Rafael Erazo were the proximate causes of her injuries. On May 1, 2017, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Kristina Cordi was working as a production assistant at the MTV Movie and TV Awards. That morning, a delivery truck from The Production Truck, Inc. arrived at the site, carrying equipment such as frame bases and drapes for the event.

While unloading a heavy shelving unit, Kristina was directed by Rafael Erazo, an employee of TPT, to assist with the task. During the unloading process, Erazo negligently operated the truck’s controls, causing the hydraulic lift gate to tilt backward unexpectedly. This action trapped Kristina’s left foot beneath the gate. He continued to apply pressure to the hydraulic system, lowering the gate further. The lift continued to lower until Kristina screamed, prompting Erazo to stop.

Damages

Kristina suffered various damages, including loss of wages, loss of use of property, hospital and medical expenses, and general damages. Additionally, she experienced loss of earning capacity, along with pain and suffering, and emotional distress. As a result, Kristina requests a judgment for the costs of the suit, along with relief that is fair, just, and equitable, which includes compensatory damages.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal Representation

  • Plaintiff(s): Kristina Cordi
    • Counsel for Plaintiff(s): J. Patrick Flemming Jr.
  • Defendant(s): The Production Truck, Inc. | Rafael Erazo | New Remote Productions
    • Counsel for Defendant(s): Thomas H. Citron

Claims

Kristina Cordi alleged general negligence, asserting that the Defendants’ actions directly caused her injuries.

Defense

The Defendants denied liability and raised affirmative defenses, arguing that Kristina’s own negligence contributed to her injuries.

Jury Verdict

On October 16, 2024, the jury determined that both Rafael Erazo and The Production Truck, Inc. were negligent, with their negligence being a substantial factor in causing harm to Kristina Cordi. The jury also concluded that Kristina Cordi was not negligent.

Regarding damages, the jury awarded Kristina Cordi $450,000 for past non-economic losses, which included physical pain, mental suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, physical impairment, grief, and emotional distress. Additionally, the jury awarded $1,050,000 for future non-economic damages, bringing the total damages to $1,500,000.

In terms of responsibility, the jury assigned the following percentages for the harm caused to Kristina Cordi: 60% to Rafael Erazo, 30% to The Production Truck, Inc., 0% to Kristina Cordi, and 10% to New Remote Productions, totaling 100%.

Court Documents:

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