California Court of Appeals Upholds $1.85 Million Judgement on Behalf of Injured Cyclist

On September 28, the California Court of Appeals in San Francisco upheld a unanimous jury verdict on behalf of the plaintiff, Catherine Williams, a bicyclist who was severely injured on a Sonoma County, California road.

Bailey Glasser Partner, Todd A. Walburg, was the lead trial counsel on the case and was assisted by Celine Cutter of Cutter Law. The plaintiff suffered serious injuries when she struck a large pothole on a county road that a jury determined amounted to a dangerous condition. The jury awarded the plaintiff a $1.4 million verdict in December 2018, and since then costs and interest have been accruing during the County’s appeal.   

The plaintiff, a college dean, suffered severe injuries to her head, face, and teeth, including a concussion, according to her 2017 lawsuit, filed against the County of Sonoma. 

The Court of Appeals decided this week that a county has a duty not to increase the danger of cycling, and that the assumption of risk doctrine does not give the county a pass when it comes to road safety. This is an important victory for not only the plaintiff but for the rights of everyone who uses public roads in California.