Ranger Wiens and Tanya Ortega: Trial-Performance Commentary
Article overview: In this case, Kayleigh McCall v. Coast Line Distributing, Inc. and Paul Anthony Ceja In San Luis Obispo County Court, the jury grants punitive damages to the employer due to the truck driver’s illicit drug use; $2.1 million. Plaintiff Kayleigh McCall experienced a moderate traumatic brain injury…
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In this case, Kayleigh McCall v. Coast Line Distributing, Inc. and Paul Anthony Ceja
In San Luis Obispo County Court, the jury grants punitive damages to the employer due to the truck driver’s illicit drug use; $2.1 million.
Plaintiff Kayleigh McCall experienced a moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a facet injury due to the whiplash incurred. Dr. Jordan diagnosed the plaintiff with crushed and compressed facet joints and executed a facet block injection and radiofrequency ablation at multiple levels of her cervical spine. Both surgeries afforded the plaintiff substantial pain alleviation.
Factual Summary
A father employed his drug-addicted son as a truck driver for his business via the use of every loophole in the book. The son, while high off his ass, collided a substantial delivery truck with a little automobile at 55–60 mph. The defendant Paul Anthony Ceja possessed a substantial history of substance misuse, imprisonment, rehabilitation, felonies, and license revocations prior to his employment as a truck driver by his father, Paul Ceja, co-owner of Coast Line Distributing, Inc.
Verdict: $ 2,119,875.48
Plaintiff’s expert witnesses
Okorie Okorocha, M.S., M.S., ESQ.
Toxicolawgy.com
ForensicToxicology.com
Why the verdict matters
The reported $2.1 million punitive-damages result shows how evidence of illicit drug use can reshape a civil trial when counsel connects the science to responsibility and the governing instructions. The post highlights Ranger Wiens and Tanya Ortega’s performance in presenting that case.
For related trial analysis, see Attorney Life.
Related reading: For related context, read Investigators at Counsel Table in Criminal Trials, Trevor Quirk v. Lewis Brisbois: Trial Commentary, California Ethics Opinion Says No to Law-Firm Parties; Judge Byrdsong Is Pictured Attending Them.
