Morgan & Morgan Reaches $10 Million Settlement for Family of Man Fatally Run Over in California Parking Lot

[Los Angeles, CA] – The family of an 89-year-old man who was fatally struck while walking through a Torrance, California parking lot in 2022 has secured a $10 million settlement from the defendant responsible for his death.  Represented by Morgan & Morgan attorneys Arthur Petrousian, Daniel DeSantis and Tatevik Gasparyan, the plaintiffs declined the defense’s highest pre-trial settlement offer before ultimately taking the case to trial and reaching the eight-figure settlement shortly before the jury delivered a verdict.

On August 22, 2022, the plaintiff was walking across the north parking lot of Wilson Park in Torrance, California, when he was struck by a motor vehicle operated by the defendant. The plaintiff was knocked to the ground and subsequently run over. He was transported to the hospital where he spent 12 days in the ICU, and ultimately died from his injuries. He is survived by his wife and four adult children.

"This is a vindicating result for our client’s family, as the defense denied for three years that the defendant was negligent and could not have done anything different to avoid this horrible crash,” said Morgan & Morgan founder John Morgan and attorney Arthur Petrousian. “Our client was a Navy Veteran, retired United States Postal Service employee, devoted husband, father and grandfather whose life was needlessly taken from him. He was a respected community leader and neighbor who was always willing to lend a hand, offer thoughtful advice, and support those around him. We’re pleased that we were able to secure this result for his family so that they can begin to put this tragedy behind them and move forward.”

It was discovered during the case that the defendant had an insurance coverage policy of only $5 million. Part of the $10 million settlement included a personal apology from the defendant to the family.

The case was heard by Judge David Reinart in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County Docket No. 23TRCV00325. The defendant was represented by attorney Fred Ufkes from Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP.