The Brian Panish Opening That Set Up $23.7M Award in Motorcycle Crash Case

In openings of the first in-person personal injury trial in Los Angeles County since the Covid-19 shutdown in March 2020, Brian Panish detailed the crash that cost motorcyclist Steve Rojas part of his leg. Panish's opening set up a $23.7 million award in the bench trial against heating and air conditioning company Hajoca Corporation. The 2017 crash occurred when a truck driven by Hajoca employee Kevin Henderson collided with Rojas's motorcycle at an intersection. While Hajoca admitted some liability for the accident, the trial turned on whether Rojas himself bore some blame, with Hajoca contending that the truck was stationary when the collision occurred. Judge Stephen Czuleger found Hajoca completely responsible and awarded Rojas $22.5 million. Rojas’ wife received $1.2 million for her loss of consortium claims.