Interested in reading something that is (a) interesting, (b) educational and, let the record show, (c) work-related?
Check out this Legal Division webpage! (Onramp access only)
The Caltrans Tort Feasor is published by the Caltrans Legal Service Center to alert project development and maintenance/operations staff to ways to minimize the risk of actions that could endanger members of the traveling public, and thereby to minimize risk of legal actions. Names are changed to protect subjects' privacy.
The webpage accesses all manner of legal cases related to Caltrans work. To whet your appetite, here’s the most recent scenario/case study:
Light contact, heavy claims
On a clear January morning, a Caltrans highway maintenance worker was positioned at the intersection of “White” Road and State Route 999, serving as a warning vehicle for an active pavement marking operation.
With amber lights flashing and backup alarms sounding, he carefully reversed to create space for the paint truck, believing the path was clear, when his vehicle made light contact with Karen’s car at approximately five miles per hour.
Karen and her passenger later sued Caltrans, alleging severe back and neck injuries. Plaintiffs treated on lien (to be paid out of any lawsuit recovery), amassing over $1,000,000 in medical charges, though the impact indicated that injuries should not have been that severe.
Plaintiffs’ overreach likely resulted in a defense verdict as the jury found no causation and awarded no damages.
Case lessons: Always report any collision immediately and document the scene thoroughly. prompt photos and supervisor notification help Caltrans preserve evidence and equip attorneys to challenge exaggerated or unsupported injury claims.