On April 7, 2005, plaintiff Celia Shi’s life was forever altered when a COACH USA Grey-Line Tours Bus made an illegal left-hand turn striking Ms. Shi in the crosswalk. After being struck by the tour bus, Ms. Shi was thrown to the ground and sustained skull factures with internal bleed. Ms. Shi underwent four life-saving surgeries with the expert neurosurgical team at San Francisco General Hospital, led by renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Geoffrey T. Manley. On March 13, 2007, a San Francisco Superior Court Jury recognized the care necessary to assist Ms. Shi who sustained severe traumatic brain injuries as a result of the avoidable tragedy. The jury awarded Ms. Shi 22.8 Million. The jury awarded 1.3 for past economic loss, including lost earnings and medical/healthcare related expenses. The jury awarded 6.4 Million for future economic loss, including lost earnings/lost earnings capacity and medical and healthcare related expenses. The jury awarded 4.8 Million for past non-economic loss, including pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, physical impairment, inconvenience, grief, anxiety, humiliation and emotional distress. The jury awarded 10.3 Million for future non-economic loss. This is thought to be one of the highest non-punitive verdicts for an individual sustaining brain injuries in the State of California. Ms. Shi was a 49 year old woman who had been earning approximately $15-20 per hour working part time at an on-line bookstore at the time she was struck by the tour bus. Plaintiff’s counsel effectively argued that the jury’s most difficult task was to assess a monetary award for the loss of one’s cognitive capabilities. As a result of her massive brain injuries, Ms. Shi sustained frontal lobe syndrome and executive dysfunction. The case was tried by Randall H. Scarlett, Scarlett Law Group and Thomas W. Malone of Malone Law Offices, Two Ravinia Drive, Suite 300 Atlanta, GA

 

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