Manning Kass Parachute Trial Team Secures Huge Victory

The Manning Kass Parachute Trial Team obtained a huge defense verdict on behalf of our client in the Los Angeles County Superior Court in Van Nuys on September 4, 2024. Orange County Partner Lawrence D. Esten and Los Angeles Partner Sophie O. LaFranchi soared in shortly before trial to defend an admitted liability rear-end collision on the I-210 Freeway. The plaintiff subsequently underwent an anterior cervical discectomy and disc arthroplasty at the C5-6 level, presented a life care plan of more than $850,000, and claimed a future fusion surgery would be necessary.

In closing, the plaintiff’s attorney asked the jury to award 4.7 million dollars. After the defense’s closing, and a very short deliberation, it was obvious the jury understood the defense's perspective and came back with a unanimous verdict awarding the plaintiff a nominal $6,000, barely covering the chiropractic treatment the defense did not dispute.

Our Parachute Trial Team successfully argued that plaintiff had previous treatment for neck pain, had not credibly sustained significant injury from the subject accident, and certainly not to the extent claimed. Because the plaintiff’s chiropractor testified that the plaintiff came in for his first treatment with a business card from an attorney, the defense counsel held up a “Better Call Saul” business card during closing argument to demonstrate that the plaintiff treated this accident like a golden lottery ticket.

Mr. Esten has a diverse practice which includes a focus on professional liability defense, premises and products cases, and special investigation unit (SIU) matters. He is a member of the Manning Kass Parachute Trial Team, as well as a member of the distinguished American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Mr. Esten also serves on the firm’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) Committee.

Ms. LaFranchi is a member of the Complex Litigation team and has worked extensively in the transportation field handling personal auto matters and defending companies or other entities involved in the commercial trucking, train, bus service, and rideshare industries. In addition to transportation cases, Ms. LaFranchi has significant experience defending premises, product, and professional liability matters.