» 2020

$6.7 million verdict affirmed in tentative opinion; case settled before argument

Pacific, et al. v. A&C Trucking, et al. (Cal.Ct. App. Feb. 10, 2020, No. E070359) Plaintiffs suffered injuries after the car they were in was rear-ended by a semi-trailer truck. The jury awarded one plaintiff nearly $700,000 in medical expenses and awarded both plaintiffs $3 million each in non-economic damages. Read More

$21 million personal-injury judgment settles while on appeal

Case name and information withheld for confidentiality The Ehrlich Law Firm was retained to defend a $21 million personal-injury award in the Ninth Circuit. The case settled on appeal. Read More

$26.4 million wrongful-death judgment settles while on appeal

Case name and information withheld for confidentiality The Ehrlich Law Firm was retained to defend a $26.4 million personal-injury award in the Ninth Circuit. The case settled on appeal. Read More

$1.95 million punitive-damage award affirmed; California Supreme Court denies review

Albarracin v. Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (Cal. Ct. App., Aug. 13, 2020, No. B292895), review denied (Nov. 24, 2020) Plaintiff was sexually assaulted by a superior while attending a company retreat. Her employer was held liable for, inter alia, intentional infliction of emotional distress and retaliation under the Fair Employment and Housing Act. The jury awarded her $250,000 for past emotional distress and $1,950,000 in punitive damages. On appeal, the defendant challenged the punitive-damage award as unsupported by sufficient evidence and excessive. The Court of Appeal affirmed the award and the California Supreme Court denied review. Read More

$1.3 million reduction in judgment reversed in published opinion; California Supreme Court denies review

Shuler v. Capital Agricultural Property Services, Inc. (2020) 49 Cal.App.5th 62, review denied (July 29, 2020) Plaintiffs’ home and horse ranch were destroyed in a landslide precipitated by defendant’s negligent modifications to the slope above the plaintiffs’ property. Plaintiffs were awarded $1,756,499 in economic damages, but the trial court reduced this amount to $460,283 when it entered judgment, based on an improper application of doctrine of res judicata. The appellate court reinstated the full award and the California Supreme Court denied review. Read More

Denial of class certification reversed

Wilmot v. First American Title Co. (Cal. Ct. App., Jan. 31, 2020, No. B289375) Plaintiff sued First American Title Company for overcharging her and thousands of other customers for escrow services. The trial court denied her motion for class certification. The Court of Appeal reversed, directing the trial court to certify the class. Read More