On Thursday, August 24, 2023, a Pierce County jury returned a $21 million verdict in favor of Dearie Law Group client Cristina Anderson. The jury’s verdict is in addition to an undisclosed seven-figure settlement with the City of Sumner that was reached prior to trial for alleged negligent roadway design.
Throughout the legal process, Raymond J. Dearie, Jr. and Drew V. Lombardi served as counsel to Cristina Anderson, a loving mother and former English as a Second Language Teacher.
“I am so honored to represent Cristina. Despite suffering a devastating injury, she stood strong in the face of serious personal tragedy and suffering,” said Ray Dearie, lead trial counsel and founder of the Dearie Law Group. “The jury awarded Cristina fair and appropriate compensation because they clearly were moved by her ordeal and the grace she showed through her battle to keep trying to get better,” Dearie added.
Cristina Anderson was hit by a motor vehicle driver while crossing the street in a marked crosswalk. The marked crosswalk was located at the intersection of Main Street and Ryan Avenue in Sumner, Washington, and does not feature any signage warning drivers about the crosswalk.
An eyewitness to the crash described Mrs. Anderson’s head striking the pavement in a violent manner. As a result, Mrs. Anderson sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury.
While the driver accepted responsibility for causing the crash, she still disputed the severity of Mrs. Anderson’s injuries and damages. After a two-week trial in Pierce County Superior Court, the jury found that Mrs. Anderson sustained $10 million in damages up to the time of trial, and $11 million in future damages.
“I admire Cristina’s courage to take her case to trial and have her voice heard before a jury of her peers,” said Drew Lombardi, co-trial counsel and attorney at the Dearie Law Group. “The jury’s verdict provides Cristina with long awaited justice.”
Dearie and Lombardi added that they both “thank the members of the jury for their hard work in this case, which reasonably reflects the harms and losses Cristina Anderson sustained as a result of the crash.”
About Dearie Law Group:
The Dearie Law Group represents people who have been seriously injured in personal injury, wrongful death, sexual abuse, and medical malpractice cases involving corporate, government, and individual wrongdoers.
Known for our fierce determination to fight for justice, our reputation has been built on qualitative success, not volume. To contact us, visit https://dearielawgroup.com/contact/