City of Hanford, California Agrees to Pay $15 Million to Settle a Negligence Claim by a Brain-Injured Boy Represented by the Personal Injury Law Firm of Bisnar Chase.LOS ANGELES Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. -- A California court signed a $15 million out-of-court settlement An agreement reached between the parties in a pending lawsuit that resolves the dispute to their mutual satisfaction and occurs without judicial intervention, supervision, or approval. of a municipality MUNICIPALITY. The body of officers, taken collectively, belonging to a city, who are appointed to manage its affairs and defend its interests. negligence claim against the City of Hanford, Calif. Jupiter Chan sued Hanford on behalf of his son, Christopher, who sustained a traumatic brain injury Traumatic brain injury (TBI), traumatic injuries to the brain, also called intracranial injury, or simply head injury, occurs when a sudden trauma causes brain damage. TBI can result from a closed head injury or a penetrating head injury and is one of two subsets of acquired brain when he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle. The Chans' allege To state, recite, assert, or charge the existence of particular facts in a Pleading or an indictment; to make an allegation. allege v. that Hanford was negligent in maintaining the roadway and providing appropriate signage. The week before trial, Hanford settled out of court with Christopher Chan for a lifetime stream of payments of $15 million. California personal injury law firm Bisnar Chase represented Christopher Chan in the Superior Court of California, Kings County, Case Number 06C0206. On May 31, 2005, 14-year-old Christopher Chan was riding his bicycle when he was hit by an automobile at the intersection of 11th Avenue and Pepper Drive. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. court documents, before the accident Chan was a vibrant, inquisitive in·quis·i·tive adj. 1. Inclined to investigate; eager for knowledge. 2. Unduly curious and inquiring. See Synonyms at curious. and intelligent eighth-grader. Now he has no short-term memory short-term memory n. Abbr. STM The phase of the memory process in which stimuli that have been recognized and registered are stored briefly. , has the verbal ability of a 6-year-old, focuses on simple tasks for only 15 minutes at a time and needs an attendant to help him with his everyday physical needs. According to the lawsuit, this intersection was hazardous to school children crossing to and from school due to its physical makeup, no effective controls and no signage or crossing guard. Hanford's records showed the city was aware of these dangerous conditions but did not correct them. Hanford settled with Christopher Chan for $15 million paid over his lifetime to cover his past and future medical expenses, therapy and round-the-clock care for the rest of his life. The parties were notified of the signing May 21. "Such a tragedy, that a traumatic brain injury has robbed Christopher Chan of a self-sufficient and productive life," said Brian Chase, partner in Bisnar Chase. "This wouldn't have happened if the elected officials of Hanford were doing their jobs by ensuring the public's safety. This case should serve as a warning to other elected city officials: Do your jobs." About Bisnar Chase Bisnar Chase is a California personal injury law firm that represents people who have been very seriously injured or lost a family member because of an accident, a defective product or negligence. They have won a wide variety of challenging personal injury cases, ranging from auto, construction, pool and on-the-job accidents, dog attacks, governmental agency negligence to defect products made by Fortune 500 companies. For more information, visit: www.bestattorney.com and www.californiainjuryblog.com. |
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