fbpx
Call for your free consultation

(619) 238-1811

Jury Rules in Favor of Student Injured During Vocational Class

A San Diego Superior Court jury ordered that Los Angeles-based RWM Fiberoptics Inc. pay an Oceanside resident $455,000 in damages following an injury incurred during a vocational training class.

The jury ruled in favor of Thomas Penfield’s client, a vocational class student, in the case against RWM, a vocational training school which has since closed its doors.

After deliberating for two and one-half days, the jury awarded  the plaintiff $400,000 in economic losses plus $250,000 in non-economic damages – reduced by thirty percent for

comparative fault, for a net of $455,000.

Penfield, who worked on the case with attorney Monica Marquez, a sole practitioner, noted that his client’s coursework in broadband television incorporated pole climbing with metal spikes.   “During training, my client fell about ten feet during a ‘certification’ climb, significantly injuring several vertebral discs,” he said.  It was determined that fusion surgery was likely to be needed within the next five years.

Penfield argued that that the school and instructor fell below the standard of care, and were negligent in the design of the training program – with lack of fall protection, inadequate training, and lack of investigation into proper safety devices. Additionally, no liability waivers were signed or was fall protection provided.

Verdict: $455,000

Free Consultation

No Upfront Fees - CaseyGerry undertakes all the financial risks of litigation. We are only paid if we are successful

Communications Consent(Required)
By submitting this form, I agree to receive response text messages in regard to my legal inquiry, which may be considered advertising material. I understand my consent to this is not necessary to obtain legal services from CaseyGerry. Msg & Data Rates May Apply.
Privacy Policy(Required)
I agree to the privacy policy.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.