Callaway & Wolf Secures $352,000 Verdict Against the City of San Francisco
Justin Zanders is a 19 year old student who worked part time as a caterer. On July 9, 2016 Mr. Zanders was walking down a sidewalk in San Francisco and was struck in the head by a power pickup pole on an electrical city municipal bus. Zanders was immediately knocked unconscious for approx. 30 seconds and claimed he had suffered a head injury, which the video camera on the bus partially captured.
Mr. Zanders retained Boone Callaway at Callaway & Wolf and filed suit against the bus owner, the City and County of San Francisco. Callaway and associate attorney alleged that the City was negligent in maintaining the bus and for creating a dangerous condition. The two experienced attorneys argued that the pickup arm was never supposed to be able to swing down and hit pedestrians below. Additionally, they were also able to show that this bus was recently repaired for the same malfunction.
Mr. Zanders was taken to San Francisco General Hospital where he received sutures for a head laceration and underwent X-rays and a CT scan to determine if there were further injuries. During pre-trial, attorneys Callaway & Nebuchin sought out the expertise of neurology and neuropsychology experts who ordered an advanced MRI which revealed four white matter lesions on Zander’s frontal lobe.
Throughout the trial, it was shown that Mr. Zanders could no longer participate on his school football team and was going to need additional treatment including counseling for future brain-related issues, and neurological care due to the injury.
After 9 days at trial and 5 days of deliberations, the jury found in favor of Mr. Zanders, resulting in a total judgment of $351,740, including medical costs, noneconomic damages and future noneconomic damages, and litigation expenses. Several months before trial the City had refused to pay more than $150,000, but as the trial date approached their offer increased, ultimately topping out at $275,000.
Callaway & Wolf are not afraid to take on the Government, and are not afraid to go to trial when the situation warrants it. If you or a family member was seriously injured in any sort of accident, or if a family member was killed due to the negligence of a business, individual or government entity call Callaway & Wolf at 415-541-0300 to schedule a free consultation regarding your matter.
Download the Verdict Search report of the case here.
Boone Callaway is a personal injury & medical malpractice lawyer in San Francisco who has been working with clients in the Bay Area for over 25 years. Mr. Callaway is one of only a few personal injury litigators in San Francisco who is a Super Lawyer, AV Rated and is also a member of ABOTA – American Board of Trial Advocates.
