Brain Injury

Los Angeles, CA: (Sep-289-07) The family of Samantha Palumbo brought a lawsuit against the city of San Dimas, after their teenage daughter suffered a severe brain injury. The suit claimed that driving alone through San Dimas on April 8, 2005, Samantha lost control of her car and slammed into a city-built fence made of wooden logs. Parts of the fence pierced Samantha's car and her head, tearing away part of her brain. Sam and Diana Palumbo sued the city on their daughter's behalf. They said the fence was unsafe and caused their daughter's brain injury. Sources claimed that Samantha Palumbo was a top student and beauty pageant winner before the accident; she has since battled to regain basic abilities. Now 18, she communicates with hand signals, largely uses a wheelchair and relies on 24-hour care provided by her parents.

In a settlement reached, the family will receive $9 million as part of a deal reached with the city of San Dimas. Samantha's mother said the money, which largely will come from a city insurance fund, probably would go into a trust to help pay for such needs as specialized care, education, and housing to accommodate her daughter's disabilities. She said the family would continue to seek treatment for Samantha, who is improving and underwent surgery this week at UCLA Medical Center to cover a hole in her forehead. [LOS ANGELES TIMES: BRAIN INJURY]

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Published on Oct-1-07