San Luis Obispo Jury Rules In Favor Of Smith Law Offices, LLP Client

RIVERSIDE, Calif., May 3, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Smith Law Offices, LLP – a trial and litigation law firm specializing in public sector, labor and employment, regulatory, healthcare and business litigation – announced today that a San Luis Obispo jury recently decided in favor of its client, the County of San Luis Obispo, in an auto/pedestrian accident.

The plaintiff, San Luis Obispo resident Scott Barnes, was walking his granddaughter's dog in a crosswalk in downtown San Luis Obispo, when Donna Cole – a mental health worker with the County of San Luis Obispo – parked her County car illegally in a clearly marked fire zone. Cole was dropping off a County patient to buy groceries and the rear end of her car was situated within the confines of the crosswalk. As Barnes was walking behind Cole's car, she allegedly backed into Barnes, knocking him to the ground. Barnes went to urgent care, where he was diagnosed with contusions on his arm, hand and left knee. Subsequently, he was diagnosed with a meniscal tear in his knee for which he would undergo surgery.

The County defended on grounds that Cole never backed her car into Barnes. Instead, Barnes saw Cole's vehicle in the crosswalk, he became upset, and started pounding his fists on the trunk of Cole's car while yelling at her that she was in the crosswalk. After an attempt to converse with Barnes, Cole drove off and, consequently, Barnes claimed he was the victim of a hit and run.

The case went to trial this past month in San Luis Obispo. Despite the absence of witnesses, Barnes's documented injuries and his talents on the witness stand, in addition to Cole's absence at the trial, having relocated to the east coast, the jury deliberated for less than one hour before reaching a unanimous verdict for the defense. While Cole was negligent for parking her car in the crosswalk, the jury found such negligence was not the cause of Barnes's injuries.

"The jury undoubtedly made the right decision against the presented challenges in this case," said trial attorney for the County, Doug Smith, founding partner of Smith Law Offices, LLP. "I'm glad we were able to win this trial for Donna and the San Luis Obispo County."

For more information about Smith Law Offices, LLP, please visit www.Smitlaw.com.

About Smith Law Offices, LLP: Smith Law Offices, LLP is a respected Southern California trial and litigation law firm providing efficient, affordable, and results-oriented services to its private and public sector clients. With considerable experience, its reputable litigators and trial lawyers deliver unmatched legal representation across its diverse practice areas. In addition to the public sector, Smith Law Offices, LLP specializes in labor and employment, regulatory, healthcare and business litigation. For more information visit www.Smitlaw.com.

SOURCE Smith Law

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