Trial Magazine

Anthony Taylor, 27, was riding in the back seat of a car as it stopped at a stop sign and then proceeded through a two-way stop. Samantha Schilling’s vehicle went through the other stop sign, causing a T-bone collision with Taylor’s vehicle.

Taylor suffered a fractured spine at C5-6, which led to quadriplegia. Taylor, who also suffers from a developmental disability, now requires 24-hour care.

He sued Schilling, alleging negligent driving. The defendant admitted liability for the collision but disputed the plaintiff’s damages.

The jury awarded $41.63 million. The parties settled after the verdict for an undisclosed amount.

Citation: Taylor v. Schilling, No. MC026518 (Cal. Super. Ct. Los Angeles Cnty. Apr. 16, 2018).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ members R. Rex Parris and Alexander Wheeler, and Rutger Parris, all of Lancaster, Calif.

Plaintiff experts: Anthony Reading, psychology, and Lawrence Miller, pain management, both of Beverly Hills, Calif.; Abdallah Farrukh, neurosurgery, Lancaster; Jan Roughan, life care planning, Pasadena, Calif.; Tamorah Hunt, economics, Santa Ana, Calif.; and Rick Sarkisian, vocational rehabilitation, Fresno, Calif.