Firm News
Tucker Ellis Client Obtains Complete Defense Verdict in Wrongful Death Suit
May 19, 2026
Firm News
Tucker Ellis Client Obtains Complete Defense Verdict in Wrongful Death Suit
May 19, 2026
On May 7, 2026, a jury in Riverside County, California, returned a unanimous defense verdict in favor of our client after a two-week jury trial in a wrongful death case. The jury determined that the defendant company’s employee was not negligent when the side mirror of his service van struck a woman running in the roadway before sunrise. Plaintiffs’ counsel asked the jury to award $25.7 million in damages.
The trial included expert witnesses in accident reconstruction and nighttime visibility and conspicuity, police officers who investigated the accident and did a forensic examination of the driver’s cell phones, an expert economist, and other fact witnesses.
Mollie Benedict served as trial counsel alongside co-counsel, Chris Lam of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP. The trial team was supported by Aggie Lee, Peter Choate, Mike Zellers, Alex Chamchikh, and Ashley Avakian.
