California doctor paralyzed in car crash to receive near $9 million settlement
By Jim Greene
Published on December 07, 2005
A California doctor paralyzed in a 2002 car crash he claims was caused by a poorly timed traffic signal has been awarded the first part of what is expected to be an $8.85 million settlement.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors last week agreed to pay Dr. Paul Leung Ho $750,000 for the county's share of the responsibility for the accident. The Rancho Palos Verdes City Council is expected to approve a $6 million settlement. Willdan Associates and Norris-Repke, Inc., two traffic engineer firms that contract with the city, are expected to agree to another $2.1 million.
Ho was turning left at an intersection onto a busy Rancho Palos Verdes street on May 13, 2002, when a car coming from his left struck the driver's side of his car. According to his claim, the traffic signal did not allow fast-moving traffic on the busy street enough time to stop before vehicles turned onto or crossed it.
Since the accident, the city has extended the interval.
Ho was a pediatrician at the time of the accident. According to his claim, he suffered brain damage and will require daily medical care and assistance for life.
Had the case gone to court, it was expected Ho and his family would have sued for more than $30 million.
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