Gonzalez v. Southern California Gas Company

Outcome: Jury Verdict $2,000,000

Description: Second chair in a case involving 17 year old girl who was killed when her car struck a gas meter assembly located 11' from the side of the road. Before passing, deceased told her father and investigating officer that another car cut her off and caused her to jump the curb. It was estimated that she was going 15-20mph when the car struck the meter. Defendant alleged it was a proper location for a gas meter, denied any duty to protect the meter from car leaving the road and claimed the deceased was at fault for failing to control her car. Jury found Defendant 40% at fault, phantom driver 10% at fault and deceased 50% at fault, reducing her family's final damages to 40% of the total verdict.