California Settles Suit against State Trooper for $4.5M

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San Francisco, CA: A personal injury lawsuit against a California State Trooper concerning allegations that the actions of theTrooper at the scene of an accident resulted in the worsening of a child's injuries resulting in paraplegia, has been settled by the state of California for $4.5 million.

In 2006, the infant, Katrina Martinez, then 20 months old, was in a booster seat in the backseat of a car when it was involved in a collision.The child's aunt who was driving was killed instantly. Katrina survived, but was rendered a semi-quadriplegic, with no use of her lower extremities and limited use of her hands. Katrina's mother, Vanessa Martinez, alleged her daughter's injuries were caused or worsened by the state trooper who responded to the crash. Martinez claimed the trooper failed to take precautions to stabilize the baby's spine when removing her from the vehicle and handling her post-accident. The state argued the trooper saved Katrina's life and that her paralysis was caused solely by the crash. The settlement was reached via mediation prior to trial.