LaPlante v. Martinez

CONCLUDED

Trial
04/24/25 – 05/20/25

Summary

A California state court jury heard opening statements Thursday in a lawsuit filed by a man claiming a road construction company is responsible for a laborer hitting his motorcycle with a truck on the way to a work site, and the full trial is being webcast gavel-to-gavel by Courtroom View Network.

Plaintiff Michael LaPlante sued Antelmo Martinez and his employer, Griffith Company, following a 2021 collision that left LaPlante with severe injuries requiring 18 surgeries before ultimately having his leg amputated. The parties agree Martinez is responsible for the collision, however Thursday's openings focused largely on whether or not Martinez was acting in the scope of his job responsibilities at the time, which would make Griffith vicariously liable for LaPlante's injuries.

Outcome

Verdict for plaintiff.
Total damages: $32.07 million.

Apportionment of fault:
Griffith Company: 80%
Antelmo Martinez: 20%

Case Information
Attorneys
Witnesses
Plaintiff
Defense
Verdict
$32,072,000
Judge
Timothy Taylor
Jurisdiction
Superior Court of California, San Diego County
Court
Central Courthouse
Case Number
37-2022-00025757-CU-PA-CTL
Industry
Construction, Automotive
Practice Area
Negligence, Employment Law
Plaintiff
LaPlante, Michael
Defense
Martinez, Antelmo
Expert Witnesses
Lay Witnesses

Sessions

APR
24
APR
28
APR
29
APR
30
MAY
1
MAY
5
MAY
6
MAY
7
MAY
15
MAY
19
AM Session
Other
2 Chapters
MAY
20

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