April 04, 2016
Lewis Brisbois Partners Esther Holm and Edward Seo obtained a defense verdict in California Superior Court, Los Angeles County. Plaintiff, a 3-year old child with special needs, accused the school bus driver of sexually molesting her while on the bus. After a six week trial, the jury returned a verdict rejecting the plaintiff’s assertions, finding that no abuse had occurred, and awarded no damages.
Plaintiff sued our client, a large bus company, as well as the Los Angeles Unified School District, on theories of negligence, negligent hiring and retention. Plaintiff claimed the bus driver had prior instances of physically or sexually abusing students and requested damages of $20-50 million.
Esther and Edward thank Christina Guerin, Alyssa Garchie, Steve Alvarado, and Justine Grubb, all of whom assisted during the final phases of the trial, and to Raul Martinez, who monitored the trial for appellate issues.