Shareholder Grant Waterkotte Secures Defense Verdict on Behalf of Trucking Client in Los Angeles Superior Court
Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin trial attorney Grant D. Waterkotte secured a defense verdict in favor of Pettit Kohn’s client in a jury trial in Los Angeles Superior Court. The client, a trucking company operating in California for the last 40 years, was involved in a collision with three semi-trailer trucks in the Port of Oakland.
The Plaintiff, whose vehicle was struck by Pettit Kohn’s client during the collision, claimed that both Pettit Kohn’s client and the driver of the other big rig were negligent, and that they jointly caused the collision and the Plaintiff’s injuries. The Plaintiff sustained injuries to his spine and shoulder and underwent conservative treatment including a series of epidural injections before ultimately undergoing shoulder surgery. The Plaintiff blackboarded well over six figures in past medical specials and Plaintiff’s expert testified that future surgical intervention was also needed.
Plaintiff sought a verdict well in excess of seven figures in damages. After seven days of trial, the jury returned a verdict finding that Pettit Kohn’s client was not at fault for the incident and issued a defense verdict on its behalf. The jury found only one defendant liable and awarded damages to the Plaintiff.
Pettit Kohn congratulates Mr. Waterkotte on another trial win. This is a welcomed victory for defense attorneys in California where post-pandemic verdicts have yielded unpredictable outcomes, particularly in state venues where judicial outcomes tend to be more liberal.
About Grant D. Waterkotte
Grant D. Waterkotte is a founding shareholder at Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin and is licensed in Arizona and California. A highly accomplished trial attorney, Grant has tried over 30 cases to verdict in Maricopa, Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura and Kern Counties. The vast majority of these trials were before a jury, where Grant has a 90% record of success. Grant’s jury trial experience and exceptional results led to his induction into the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in October of 2010, only nine years into his career. Mr. Waterkotte was included in the 2010-2015 Rising Stars list by Southern California Super Lawyers and most recently recognized among the Southern California Super Lawyers in 2021 and 2022.
About Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin
Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin PC is a leading AV-rated, full-service trial firm with expertise in litigating and resolving civil matters in both state and federal courts. The firm represents clients in the areas of Appellate, Business Litigation, Community Association Litigation, Employment & Labor, Personal Injury, Product Liability, Professional Liability, Real Estate Litigation, Restaurant & Hospitality, Retail, Transactional & Business Services, Transportation, and Trial & Civil Litigation. Clients include large and mid-sized corporations, privately held businesses, institutions, and individuals. Pettit Kohn is located in California and Arizona with offices in San Diego, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Tucson. Learn more about the firm at www.pettitkohn.com.