Man struck by dump truck is awarded $15.7 million
The former police officer suffered brain injuries and requires constant care, his lawyer says.
By David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer December 27, 2007
A jury awarded $15.7 million to a San Diego man who sued the city of Los Angeles after he was struck by a city-operated dump truck while riding his motorcycle in Northridge.
The jury reached a decision last week in the case filed by Barry Bowman, a 62-year-old retired police officer who suffered brain injuries as a result of the accident, according to his lawyers.
Bowman’s attorney, Michael Alder, said the 2-year-old lawsuit went to trial after his client was unable to reach a settlement with the city’s lawyers. “They never seemed to understand the potential liability,” Alder said. “They never offered a dime more than $50,000.” The city has not decided whether to appeal.
Bowman, a 24-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department, suffered short-term memory loss and requires 24-hour care as a result of the accident, Alder said. The jury assigned Bowman roughly $4.7 million to cover his medical costs and lost wages and $11 million for pain, suffering and emotional distress.
Tags: accident, Jury, lawyer, truck accident
