At around midnight on Aug. 16, 2007, plaintiff Izat Saher Razai, 60, a registered nurse, was attempting a left turn from northbound Bouquet Canyon Road onto Centurion Way in Santa Clarita, when the passenger side of her car was broadsided by a vehicle operated by Tyler Steffes, who was traveling straight on southbound Bouquet Canyon. Razai claimed to her chest, right hand, spine and jaw. Razai sued Steffes. She alleged that the defendant was negligent in the operation of his vehicle. The matter subsequently proceeded to an expedited jury trial. Razai claimed that she entered the intersection on a green left turn light and that Steffes caused the broadside collision by running a red light. Steffes claimed that he entered the intersection on a green light and that it was Razai who ran a red light. The police report for the accident was inconclusive in determining fault and there were no eyewitnesses., Razai was taken from the scene of the accident by ambulance and brought to an emergency room. She claimed she sustained a fractured sternum and a possible rib fracture, as well as fractured teeth and a laceration to her right dominant hand. She also claimed neck and back pain, which was ultimately diagnosed as soft-tissue consisting of strains and sprains. Razai had her hand laceration sutured and she required dental implants to treat her fractured teeth. She also underwent a few months of physical therapy for her orthopedic . Razai claimed that she is mostly healed from her orthopedic , but that she did developed temporomandibular joint disorders in her jaw. She missed two weeks of work following the accident, and claimed she was restricted in her household chores and caring for her grandchildren during her recovery. Thus, Razai claimed $23,000 in past medical costs, $3,096 in past lost earnings, and sought unspecified damages for her pain and suffering. Defense counsel argued that Razai suffered merely soft-tissue and that she did not suffer any sternal or rib fractures from the accident. However, counsel contended that the plaintiff’s emergency visit, orthopedic visits and physical therapy were all reasonable treatment.
