Hung vs. City of San Diego

High-speed police chase that ended when the pursuing officer ran a red light and broadsided Mrs. Hung's car killing Mrs. Hung. $1,950,000.00 settlement.

Plaintiff's Technical Expert Witnesses:
1. Stephen A. Blewett, P.E. 2406 North Flake Avenue Altadena, CA 91001 (Accident Reconstructionist)
2. Roberta Spoon, C.P.A. 555 West Beech Street, Suite 400 San Diego, CA 92101 (Economist)
3. Geoffrey P. Alpert, Ph.D. 97 Muskrat Run Irmo, South Carolina 29063-8543 (Police Pursuit Policies)
4. Robert Post, Ph.D. 3331 Grosbeak Court David CA 95616 (Visibility Issues) 5. Steven L. Wolfe 5776 Broadway Oakland, CA 94618-1531 (Acoustics & Reaction Times)

Defendant Insurance: Fremont Compensation Insurance Company

Date, Time and Place of Incident (s): 1/12/19/99, San Diego, CA

Facts and Background:
Plaintiffs in this action were June Meng's husband and five-year-old daughter. Ms. Meng,was killed when a San Diego Police Officer ('Officer Burow'), involved in a high-speed pursuit of two robbery suspects, broadsided Ms. Meng's vehicle as he entered a busy intersection. On February 19, 1999, Officer Burow responded to a call of a possible residential burglary. An officer with three years' experience, Officer Burow arrived in time to notice a suspicious Ford Bronco with no license plates parked near the residence. He parked his car and stood behind a tree to watch. As two men exited the residence, Officer Burow made eye contact with at least one suspect, but said nothing. Instead, he allowed them to enter their vehicle and drive away. Officer Burow then returned to his patrol car and began chasing the suspects through heavy Friday afternoon traffic. The chase ended with Officer Burow, following the Bronco through a red light, crashed into June Meng's car as she innocently entered the intersection on the green light. June Meng was killed as a result of the crash.

Plaintiff's Contentions, Allegations: See Facts and Background

Injuries and/or Damages: Death of June Meng Hung

Defense: Accident was caused by the fleeing suspects and Mrs. June Meng Hong should have heard the sirens.

Settlement Amounts: $1,950,000.00

Verdict or Award: ECONOMIC: $246,646.10; NON-ECONOMIC: $300,000.00, Apportionment: 85% Coronado Shores 10% Decedent 3% Plaintiff 2% Other 0% Oliver

Other Verdict Details:
Plaintiff entitled to over $20,000 prejudgment interest for beating the 998 demand. $8,500.00 cost award. Motion for new trial denied.

Lenth of Trial: Six days

Jury: Deliberated one day N/A

Jury Polled: Negligence 12-0, Causation 9-3, Damages 11-1, Allocation 10-2

Attorney for client: Vincent J. Bartolotta, Jr. Catherine Richardson R. Christian Hulburt (Hulburt & Bunn)

Attorney for defendant:
Thomas J. Lincoln, Esq. Lincoln, Gustafson & Ceros Attorneys for City of San Diego
Barry Hassenberg, Esq. Veatch, Carlson, Grogan & Nelson Attorneys for Fremont Comp. Ins. Co.