A therapist is fighting for justice after a car accident left her with debilitating injuries. Veda Rochelle Flynn filed a negligence complaint against Brallan Vasquez and his employers in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County on June 10, 2024.
Flynn's lawsuit stems from a July 2016 auto accident on Interstate 5 in Los Angeles. Flynn, who was driving home from work, was rear-ended by Vasquez’s truck while she was stopped in traffic. The impact pushed Flynn’s car into another vehicle, resulting in what she described as a "horrific" collision. Despite Vasquez admitting to negligence, he and his employers contested the extent of Flynn's injuries. The jury initially ruled in favor of the defendants, but Flynn moved for a new trial on damages only.
Flynn testified that she experienced severe pain following the accident, which significantly impacted her quality of life. Her medical history included a previous spinal surgery in 2015 that had alleviated her pain until the 2016 collision. Dr. Andrew Fox, Flynn’s expert witness, supported her claims by explaining that the accident aggravated her pre-existing conditions and made her a candidate for further surgery costing between $150,000 to $200,000. On the other hand, the defense expert argued that Flynn's symptoms were due to chronic degenerative arthritis rather than injuries from the accident.
The court found merit in Flynn's motion for a new trial on damages but directed that both causation and damages be reconsidered. Judge Gloria White-Brown emphasized that both experts agreed Flynn suffered some injury due to the collision, making it clear that a reevaluation was necessary.
Flynn seeks compensation for future medical expenses and noneconomic losses totaling nearly $2.5 million. The case has been remanded for a new trial to determine both causation and damages accurately.
Attorneys involved include Michael J. Libman representing Flynn and Neil Tardiff along with Mark P. LaScola representing Vasquez and his employers. The case ID is BC709096.