Panish Hoey Announces $5.64 Million Verdict for a 15-Year-Old Girl Hit by a Dresick Farms...

Avila v. Dresick Farms, et al., Case No. L-00916

EL CENTRO, Calif. -- Today an Imperial County, California, jury awarded a $5.64 million verdict to Teresa Gonzalez who was horribly injured when the family van she was riding in was hit by a Dresick Farms commercial truck when she was 15

The accident happened in Imperial County, California, in 2001. The Dresick Farms truck allegedly ran a stop sign and hit the Gonzalez family mini-van, causing it to roll repeatedly. The Dresick Farms truck pierced through the side of the mini-van and literally struck Teresa in the face. Teresa Gonzalez suffered facial avulsion degloving (that is, the flesh of her face was torn off), and several fractures to her face and skull. She has so far had 21 different surgical procedures performed on her face. The defendant Dresick Farms fought liability for six years, but finally admitted that they were fully responsible shortly before the trial. The trial proceeded on the sole issue of the amount of damages to be awarded.

The trial lasted approximately one month, and the jury deliberated for two days. The case was pending in the Superior Court of California for the County of Imperial before The Honorable Chris Yeager.

Plaintiff Teresa Gonzalez was represented at trial by Brian Panish and James Hoey, of Panish Hoey, and Spencer Lucas of Panish, Shea & Boyle.

Plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish stated: "This has been a long road for Teresa and her family. It is unfortunate that this defendant and its insurance company forced this young woman to fight them for over six years. But I'm proud of her strength to stand up for her rights and know that the financial recovery will greatly assist her and help her to move forward with life."