Jensen v. Omntirans
Oct 31, 2013OUTCOME: Defense
On Feb. 14, 2011, Ronald Jensen was driving in San Bernardino, when a van operated by Cecilia Rodriguez rear-ender Jensen's car. Rodriguez was driving the van for her employer, First Transit Access, a ... t the time. Ronald Jensen's son, Steven, was allegedly in Jensen's car as well. Ronald Jensen and Steven sued Rodriguez, First Transit, FirstGroup America Inc, and the vehicle's owner, Omnitrans. PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiffs alleged that Rodriguez drove the van negligently and that the business entities should also be liable for her conduct. They argued that they were in Jensen's car and that Rodriguez rear-ended it by taking her eyes away from the road. DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS: Defendants argued that the cars were at a red light and Jensen accelerated but stopped after it turned green. Defendants also argued that plaintiff's vehicle left the scene and when Jensen came back, Steven appeared, which was 30 minutes following the incident. INJURIES: Steven Jensen suffered soft-tissue injury, neck and back injury, and strains and sprains. He also required decompression surgery and 3-level lumbar fusion. Ronald Jensen sustained a labral tear in his shoulder and underwent shoulder decompression surgery. DAMAGES: Jensen sought $98,000 in medical costs. Steven sought $400,000 in medical bills. Plaintiffs’ hospital bills and lumbar cages were factored by Medical Acquisition Company. SETTLEMENT DISCUSSIONS: Jensen demanded $1 million and Steven demanded $4 million. The defense offered $24,501 to each plaintiff under CCP Section 998.
