City of Morgan Hill to pay $30 million for role in injury of two pedestrians

Two children who were seriously injured as the result of an unsafe intersection in the City of Morgan Hill, Calif. have been awarded a settlement of $31.5 million stemming from a July 2016 vehicle accident.

This action was brought by six separate plaintiffs, all members of one family, and as against Defendant Jacqueline Fontaine (adverse driver) and Defendant City of Morgan Hill, in an action entitled Patton, et al. v. Fontaine, et al., bearing Santa Clara County Superior Action No. 16-CV-303044.

On July 4, 2016, an intersection that was determined to be unsafe in Morgan Hill after two of the plaintiffs, ages 13 and 6 at the time of the accident, were struck by a motor vehicle while in the crosswalk and in the presence of their family members. The younger boy's physical injuries will eventually be resolved, but the older boy sustained a traumatic brain injury that has left him physically and cognitively disabled.

The plaintiffs were represented by Ayhan M. Menekshe, Catherine M. Adams, and Sondra E. Kirwan of the Menekshe Law Firm.

This $31.5 represents a combined settlement recovery. The settlement included $1.5 million from defendant Jacqueline Fontaine and $30 million from Morgan Hill.

"We were honored to represent this entire family, who showed incredible strength in the wake of this life-changing event," plaintiffs attorney Catherine M. Adams said. "As a result of this settlement, the family will have the resources to provide for the much-needed medical care and necessary modifications for daily living."

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