Case Background
Plaintiff Juan Cristobal Alonso filed a personal injury lawsuit on May 9, 2023, in the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino. The case stemmed from a motor vehicle incident that took place on May 19, 2021, at the World Class Distribution Center located at 4681 Edison Ave, Chino, California. The matter proceeded to trial before the Honorable Kory Mathewson in Department R-12 of the Rancho Cucamonga District. Trial began on June 9, 2025, and the jury returned its verdict on June 18, 2025.
Cause
Alonso alleged that Defendant Tahir Rasool negligently operated a motor vehicle at the World Class Distribution Center, and that this negligence was the direct and proximate cause of Alonso's injuries. The complaint named World Class Distribution, Inc., and Tahir Rasool as Defendants. The company was identified as the employer of Rasool at the time of the incident, as well as the owner of the vehicle and the entity that entrusted the vehicle to Rasool. By the time the case went to trial, the active Defendants were Tahir Rasool and Kohsar Logistics, LLC.
Injury
Alonso sustained personal injuries as a result of the incident. The Plaintiff sought recovery for past medical expenses, wage loss, loss of use of property, general damages, property damage, loss of earning capacity, and prejudgment interest.
Damages Sought
The complaint sought compensatory damages according to proof and costs of the suit. Damages were not specified at a fixed dollar amount at the time of filing. The case was filed as an unlimited civil case, meaning the amount in controversy exceeded $25,000.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiff: Juan Cristobal Alonso
· Counsel for Plaintiff: Catherine Moss
Defendants: Tahir Rasool and Kohsar Logistics, LLC
· Counsel for Defendants: Daniel L. Ferguson
Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel
Claims
Alonso brought a motor vehicle cause of action, alleging that Rasool negligently operated a motor vehicle owned and entrusted to him by World Class Distribution, Inc., in the course of his employment. Alonso further alleged that World Class Distribution, Inc., was liable as the employer of the person who operated the vehicle, as the owner of the vehicle, and as the entity that entrusted the vehicle. The Plaintiff alleged multiple categories of harm, including economic losses such as past medical expenses, wage loss, property damage, and loss of earning capacity, as well as non-economic losses including general damages and pain and suffering.
Defense
Defendants Tahir Rasool and Kohsar Logistics, LLC filed their answer on September 25, 2023. The Defendants denied all allegations in the complaint, including denying that the Plaintiff sustained any damages attributable to their conduct. They raised thirteen affirmative defenses.
The first defense asserted that the complaint failed to state a valid cause of action. The second and third defenses raised comparative negligence, arguing that Alonso's own conduct contributed to or caused his damages, and that any third parties not named in the action may also share responsibility. The fourth defense raised release and waiver, claiming that any claims against the Defendants were extinguished by a prior release. The fifth defense alleged that Alonso failed to mitigate his damages. The sixth defense raised assumption of risk, contending that Alonso was aware of any danger and voluntarily assumed it. The seventh defense alleged that intervening and superseding causes from other persons or entities produced the Plaintiff's alleged harm. The eighth defense raised the doctrine of avoidable consequences, arguing that Alonso could have taken steps to avoid or reduce his injuries. The ninth defense asserted that the claims were barred by the statute of limitations under various provisions of the California Code of Civil Procedure. The tenth defense invoked Civil Code Section 1431.2, arguing that any liability for non-economic damages should be several only and not joint. The eleventh defense argued that the claimed damages were speculative and not legally recoverable. The twelfth defense contended that the Defendants acted reasonably and in good faith at all material times. The thirteenth defense reserved the right to assert additional defenses as the case developed.
By the time the case went to trial, Rasool and Kohsar Logistics, LLC admitted negligence and admitted that their negligence was a substantial factor in causing harm to Alonso. The jury was therefore asked only to decide the damages amount.
Jury Verdict
The jury returned its verdict on June 18, 2025. Because both Defendants admitted negligence and causation before trial, the jury focused entirely on the question of damages.
On the economic side, the jury awarded Alonso $37,461.33 in past medical expenses, which also constituted the total past economic damages award.
On the non-economic side, the jury awarded $132,000.00 for past non-economic loss, including physical pain and mental suffering. The jury also awarded $1,028,000.00 for future non-economic loss, including physical pain and mental suffering. The total non-economic damages award came to $1,160,000.00.
The combined total damages award, including both economic and non-economic components, came to $1,197,461.33. The verdict form was signed by the presiding juror and dated June 18, 2025.
Court documents are available upon request at [email protected]
