For Immediate Release- August 6, 2004
Please Contact Attorney Ron Bamieh at (805)643-5555, partner with the law firm of Bamieh & Erickson, PLC

Bamieh & Erickson Win $519,000 Jury Verdict For Family Of Man Run Over By City Of Oxnard Trash Truck

On August 6, 2004, a Ventura County jury agreed with Ventura Attorney Ron Bamieh, of Bamieh & Erickson, PLC, and awarded the family of Jay Patel $519,000 for the wrongful death of 43-year-old husband and father.  Mr. Patel was walking to work and was killed when a City of Oxnard garbage truck struck him while he walked in cross walk as he crossed 5th street in Oxnard.   Mr. Patel was killed when the driver of the garbage truck looked in another direction as he accelerated through a right turn into the cross walk where Mr. Patel was crossing with a green light.  His wife Krishna, daughter Parul, son Vivek, survived Mr. Patel.

The two-week wrongful death jury trial was held in Ventura County Superior Court before Judge Henry J. Walsh.  Ron Bamieh of the Ventura law firm of Bamieh & Erickson represented the Patel family.  The jury found that the total damages were $865,000.  The jury further found that City of Oxnard employees were 60 percent responsible for this accident.

Mr. Bamieh and the Patel family were hopeful that the City of Oxnard would attempt to resolve this matter and not force the Patels to relive this tragic incident.  However, the City of Oxnard refused to admit that the accident was the fault of their employees and claimed that Jay Patel ran into the side of the trash truck.  Early in this litigation, the Patel family would have accepted less than the jury verdict.

Ron Bamieh commented on the trial, "I am pleased with the Jury's verdict.  They did an incredible job listening to the evidence and realizing that the City's denial was not based on the truth.  The City's mistake was thinking that  spending over $70,000 in expert witnesses, and $100,000 for lawyers would somehow intimidate the Patel family or my law firm.   It was a pleasure showing the City that a strong family, a credible witness, and truthful advocacy could defeat their bullying tactics.  I was honored to have the faith and confidence of the Patel Family, who are truly remarkably and special people. We look forward to celebrating this Verdict with the Patel Family tonight."