James M. Treppa and Holly A. Graves of Bledsoe, Diestel, Treppa & Crane LLP in San Francisco obtained a defense verdict for their clients in Alameda County Superior Court, the Honorable Victoria Kolakowski presiding.
Plaintiff alleged negligent entrustment of a vehicle and negligent hiring, retention, training, and/or supervision causes of action against defendants stemming from a motor vehicle collision occurring on January 19, 2010 near midnight in Oakland. Plaintiff alleged defendants negligently hired an employee, who it was later learned had 10- and 8-year-old felony convictions, without performing due diligence in hiring the employee.
Defendants denied liability for the accident because after 8 weeks of working without any issues, the employee stole the truck, drove off-site, afterhours, and in violation of company policy before causing the subject incident. The employee was dismissed from the case prior to the trial.
Plaintiff alleged the subject accident caused a severe traumatic brain injury which prevented her from gainful employment in her chosen career and affected her home and social activities. Plaintiff sought significant past and future general damages including physical pain and suffering, emotional damages, anxiety, and humiliation and requested a verdict in the amount of $6.8 million. The jury deliberated for approximately 5 hours and returned a defense verdict on both causes of action.