Ben S.

On November 19, 2018, I resolved the case of Benjamin S. v. City of Santa Maria. On March 24, 2015, Benjamin was lying on a grassy knoll at Edward Parks near the Edward Community Center in the City of Santa Maria, watching his son play baseball. He heard a commotion and sat up to wave to some people who were yelling to him. Unbeknownst to Ben, an employee of the City of Santa Maria, was driving a City-owned SUV across the grass; the city employee did not see Ben and drove the SUV over him, injuring his wrist and back. Ben was taken to a local hospital; while at the hospital, employees of the City attempted to persuade Ben to settle the case for $1,000.00. My office was retained; ultimately the case went to mediation at which the City indicated it might pay $40,000.00 to settle the case. The offer was rejected. The case was prepared for trial; multiple employees of the City were subpoenaed and deposed. The case settled 60 days before trial for $1,000,000.00.