Trial Magazine

Carlos Chanchavac Tojin, 50, was riding a bicycle through a Los Angeles crosswalk when Scott Crichton, who was driving a large van for his employer, Best Buy Stores, turned right and collided with him. Tojin was thrown from his bicycle. He suffered a concussion and mild traumatic brain injury, plus injuries to his left knee, right shoulder, lower back, and neck. He underwent two arthroscopic surgeries and a diskectomy at C4-5, C5-6, and C6-7.

Tojin sued Best Buy Stores, L.P., and Crichton, alleging negligence and vicarious liability. The plaintiff argued that Crichton had been distracted at the time of the collision. Suit did not claim lost income.

The jury awarded Tojin more than $2.6 million, finding the plaintiff 25% at fault. The award includes approximately $354,800 for past medical expenses.

Citation: Tojin v. Best Buy Stores, L.P., No. 20STCV00992 (Cal. Super. Ct. Los Angeles Cnty. Nov. 13, 2024).

Plaintiff counsel: Brian Witzer, Arian Barkhordar, and Sam R. Heidari, all of Los Angeles.