Seffert v. Los Angeles Transit Lines

56 Cal.2d 498 (1961)

Facts

Seffert (P) was entering a Los Angeles Transit Lines (D) bus when the doors suddenly closed catching her right hand and left foot. The bus started, dragging P for some distance, and then throwing her to the pavement. P sustained many injuries. The main injury was to P's left foot. P had nine operations and spent eight months in various hospitals and rehabilitation centers. P has difficulty walking or even sitting, her back hurts, her sleep is disturbed, and she has frequent spasms in her leg. P claimed $53,903.75 for total pecuniary loss, past, and future, and $134,000 for pain and suffering, past and future. The jury returned a verdict for those amounts. D appealed the judgment as being excessive as a matter of law.