$555,578,464
IN SETTLEMENTS PAID IN FIRST HALF OF 2026
Verdicts Matter $198.17 MILLION VERDICT Rebecca Grossman and Scott Erickson Held Accountable for the Deaths of Two Brothers
ISKANDER V. GROSSMAN, ET AL. Following an eight-week trial, a Los Angeles County jury awarded $198,170,000 to the family of Mark and Jacob Iskander, two brothers who were killed while
CALIFORNIA
$1,413,844,630
$200 MILLION+
IN JUDGMENTS AND SETTLEMENTS IN 2025
IN REFERRAL AND CO-COUNSEL FEES PAID IN 2025
crossing a street with their family in a marked crosswalk in Westlake Village, California. PSR attorneys Brian Panish, Andrew Owen, Andrew Gianelli, and Diana Panish represented the Iskander family, together with co-counsel Nick T. Movagar of M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers. The verdict included $176,000,000 in non-economic damages and $22,170,000 in punitive damages. On September 29, 2020, the Iskander family was crossing Triunfo Canyon Road at Saddle Mountain Drive when defendants Rebecca Grossman and Scott Erickson, who had just left a bar where they were drinking, approached the intersection in separate vehicles traveling at speeds exceeding 80 miles per hour. As Erickson drove through the crosswalk, Nancy
| NEVADA | ARIZONA | WASHINGTON
877.800.1700
SUMMER | 2026
IN THE NEWS
panish.law
Iskander was able to pull her youngest son out of danger. Mark, 11, and Jacob, 8, who were just steps behind, were struck and killed by Grossman’s vehicle. Grossman continued driving approximately one-third of a mile before her vehicle came to a stop. At trial, Plaintiffs presented eyewitness testimony and accident reconstruction evidence establishing that Grossman and Erickson were traveling at dangerous speeds immediately before the collision. Erickson denied the defendants were racing, while Grossman’s defense argued the intersection constituted a dangerous condition of public property. After two days of deliberation, the jury rejected those arguments, finding that Grossman and Erickson were acting in concert leading up to the collision and equally
STR ENG TH BY YOUR SIDE
®
responsible for the deaths of Mark and Jacob. The jury also rejected the defense argument that the City of Westlake Village bore any responsibility for the boys’ deaths. The jury awarded the family a total of $176,000,000 in non-economic damages and made a finding that Grossman and Erickson acted with malice, requiring a second, punitive damages phase of trial. Following a four-day punitive damages phase, the jury awarded the family an additional $22,170,000 after hearing evidence that Grossman attempted to conceal assets and Erickson engaged in continued reckless conduct following the collision.
$59.25 MILLION VERDICT Los Angeles Jury Holds Former Comedian Bill Cosby Liable for 1972 Sexual Assault MOTSINGER V. COSBY More than five decades after she was sexually assaulted, Donna Motsinger obtained justice when
CALIFORNIA
a Los Angeles County jury found William “Bill” Cosby liable for the 1972 assault and awarded her $59,250,000 in damages. PSR attorneys Jesse Creed, Spencer Lucas, and Hunter Norton represented Ms. Motsinger, together with co-counsel Michael A. Bressler of The Bressler Firm, LLC. The verdict included $19,250,000 in non-economic damages and $40,000,000 in punitive damages. Ms. Motsinger filed her lawsuit under a California law allowing survivors of sexual assault to pursue previously time-barred civil claims. She alleged that Cosby groomed her while she worked as a server at The Trident restaurant in Sausalito. He later invited her to one of his comedy performances, where he provided her with alcohol and pills that rendered her incapacitated and then sexually assaulted her. During trial, jurors heard testimony detailing the assault and the lasting physical and emotional harm Ms. Motsinger has endured, as well as testimony from other Cosby sexual assault survivors and evidence of Cosby’s broader pattern of misconduct. After two days of deliberation, the jury found in favor of Ms. Motsinger on her claims for sexual assault and sexual battery and further determined that Cosby acted with malice, oppression, or fraud. Following a separate punitive damages phase, the jury awarded an additional $40,000,000 in punitive damages.
| NEVADA | ARIZONA | WASHINGTON
877.800.1700
panish.law
$6 MILLION VERDICT Jury Finds Meta and Google Liable for Harm Caused by Addictive Social Media Platforms SOCIAL MEDIA CASES | JCCP NO. 5255 The first bellwether trial in California’s coordinated Social Media Cases concluded with a landmark plaintiffs’ verdict, as a Los Angeles County jury found Meta Platforms, Inc. and Google LLC liable for negligently designing their social media platforms and failing to warn users of the dangers associated with their addictive features. The jury awarded the plaintiff $6,000,000—including $3,000,000 in compensatory damages and $3,000,000 in punitive damages— while allocating responsibility 70 percent to Instagram and 30 percent to YouTube. Rahul Ravipudi, who serves as Plaintiffs’ Co-Lead Counsel in the coordinated proceedings,
IN THE NEWS | SUMMER 2026
was a member of the trial team with Mark Lanier, Rachel Lanier, and Sarah Lanier.
companies accountable for the design of their products.
Plaintiff KGM alleged she became addicted to YouTube as a young child and Instagram at age 10, resulting in anxiety, depression, body dysmorphia, and other mental health injuries. During trial, plaintiffs presented evidence that platform features—including recommendation algorithms, autoplay, notifications, and infinite scroll—were intentionally designed to maximize user engagement despite the companies’ knowledge that those features could harm young users. Jurors also heard testimony from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri, company executives, former employees, and expert witnesses, as well as evidence regarding the companies’ internal research on youth mental health. After more than eight days of deliberations, the jury found both companies were negligent in designing their platforms, failed to warn users of known dangers, and that their conduct was a substantial factor in causing the plaintiff’s injuries. Jurors further found that Meta and Google acted with malice, fraud, or oppression, resulting in punitive damages. As the first bellwether verdict among thousands of coordinated social media addiction cases pending in California, the decision establishes an important benchmark for future trials and represents a significant step toward holding technology
$1.4 MILLION VERDICT Jury Awards Damages to Man Seriously Injured by Golf Ball Launched from Commercial Mower GRAHAM V. AMERICAN GOLF CORPORATION A visit to a Long Beach golf course took a devastating turn when a golf ball launched from a commercial mower shattered the glass of an on-site café, sending shards into Thomas Graham’s left eye. A Los Angeles County jury awarded $1,400,000 for the permanent injuries he suffered. Represented by PSR attorneys Jon Davidi, Dan Dunbar, and Brigitta Railla, Mr. Graham prevailed at trial after American Golf Corporation admitted liability, leaving the jury to determine the extent of his damages.
The incident occurred on June 14, 2024, at Heartwell Golf Course in Long Beach, where a mower operating near a chipping green propelled a golf ball at an estimated speed of more than 200 miles per hour. Evidence presented at trial showed the mower was outdated and lacked basic safety features, including deflectors designed to prevent objects from being ejected, allowing the golf ball to become a dangerous projectile. The impact caused permanent damage to the cornea and nerves in Mr. Graham’s left eye, leaving him with chronic pain, daily discomfort, severe headaches, migraines, and ongoing functional impairment. Although liability was admitted, the defense disputed the severity of his injuries. Medical experts explained that corneal nerve damage can cause debilitating, lifelong pain despite the absence of obvious outward signs of injury. After hearing the evidence, the jury returned a verdict recognizing the lasting impact the injury has had on Mr. Graham’s quality of life.
STR ENG TH BY YOUR SIDE
®
Brian Panish Earns Distinguished Honors in 2026 Brian Panish Receives 2026 Lee B. Wenzel Civility Award from ABOTA-LA
CAOIE Honors Brian Panish as 2026 Trial Lawyer of the Year
The American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) Los Angeles Chapter honored Brian Panish with the 2026 Lee B. Wenzel Civility Award, presented annually to an attorney who exemplifies professionalism, integrity, and civility in the practice of law. Presenting the award, longtime friend and fellow ABOTA member Wally Yoka described Brian as “a tough, committed advocate for his clients,” and Brian called the recognition “deeply humbling.” Founded in 1958, ABOTA is an invitation-only national organization of trial lawyers and judges dedicated to preserving the right to a civil jury trial.
The Consumer Attorneys of the Inland Empire (CAOIE) named Brian Panish its 2026 Trial Lawyer of the Year at its annual Palm Springs Seminar, recognizing his exceptional courtroom accomplishments and the impact of his work on the legal profession. Over four decades, Panish has helped shape plaintiff-side trial practice through landmark personal injury, product liability, mass tort, and wildfire litigation.
Brian Panish Honored as Southwestern Law School’s Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Brian Panish, a 1984 graduate of Southwestern, was honored as the school’s 2026 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year at its 35th Annual Alumni Awards Gala, accepting the award surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues. Southwestern recognized his decades of record-setting verdicts and settlements, national leadership in plaintiff-side litigation, and longstanding contributions to the legal profession.
CALIFORNIA
| NEVADA | ARIZONA | WASHINGTON
Brian Panish Ranked Southern California’s No. 1 Super Lawyer for Fifth Consecutive Year Super Lawyers has ranked Brian Panish the No. 1 attorney in Southern California for the fifth consecutive year – capping his 19th consecutive year on the Southern California Super 5 TH YEAR IN A ROW Lawyers list overall. Published annually, Super Lawyers selects its Top Lists through a rigorous process evaluating peer recognition and professional achievement. Holding the top spot for five straight years is a testament to his excellence among an elite field of California trial lawyers.
877.800.1700
panish.law
IN THE NEWS | SUMMER 2026
Firm Accolades Rahul Ravipudi Receives Loyola Law School Board of Governors Award
Brian Panish and Rahul Ravipudi Named 2026 Legal Visionaries
Recognizing his leadership, service, and contributions to the legal profession, Rahul Ravipudi received the 2026 Loyola Law School Alumni Association Board of Governors Award. Presented to alumni who have demonstrated a continuing dedication to the public interest, the legal profession, or Loyola Law School, the award honors individuals nominated by the Law School’s faculty, staff, and alumni.
The Los Angeles Times recognized Brian Panish and Rahul Ravipudi among its 2026 Legal Visionaries, an annual distinction honoring California attorneys who stand out not only for their legal skill and results, but also for their commitment to their clients, their profession, and their communities. The recognition reflects the impact of both attorneys’ work in some of the nation’s most significant civil litigation.
A 2006 Loyola graduate, Rahul has built a nationally recognized plaintiffs’ practice and currently serves as Plaintiffs’ Co-Lead Counsel in California’s Social Media Cases and Liaison Counsel in the Eaton Fire litigation. The award recognizes both his accomplishments in the courtroom and his ongoing commitment to advancing the legal profession and supporting the Loyola community.
Spencer Lucas and Erika Vasquez Named Recipients of the 2026 CLAY Award Spencer Lucas and Erika Vasquez were named recipients of the 2026 California Lawyer Attorneys of the Year (CLAY) Award by the Daily Journal for their work in Jane BP1-B Doe, et al. v. Doe 1, et al. This marks the sixth consecutive year PSR attorneys have earned a CLAY Award and the eighth overall recognition for the Firm. The award recognizes the legal team’s work, alongside counsel from Arias Sanguinetti Wang & Team LLP, Manly Stewart & Finaldi, and Greg A. Yates, P.C., in representing 414 survivors of childhood sexual abuse in Los Angeles County juvenile halls and detention camps. After pursuing an independent litigation strategy, the group secured an $828 million settlement—averaging approximately $2 million per plaintiff—one of the highest per-plaintiff recoveries in a sexual abuse case against a government entity.
Erika Contreras and Lyssa Roberts Named 2026 Top Women Lawyers Erika Contreras and Lyssa Roberts were named to the Daily Journal’s 2026 Top Women Lawyers list, an annual recognition honoring California’s most accomplished women attorneys for their leadership and impact on the legal profession.
23 PSR Attorneys Named to Best of L.A. Legal 2026 Twenty-three PSR attorneys were recognized in Los Angeles magazine’s inaugural Best of L.A. Legal 2026 issue, which honors many of Southern California’s most respected and trusted legal professionals. The recognition highlights attorneys across a broad range of practice areas who have earned distinguished reputations within the legal community. In addition to the Firm’s widespread recognition, Lyssa Roberts was named one of the publication’s 25 Women Attorneys of Note, recognizing her outstanding legal work and reputation among the Los Angeles legal community.
STR ENG TH BY YOUR SIDE
®
IN THE NEWS | SUMMER 2026
In the Community Racheal Ross Mentors Future Trial Lawyers in Nevada
PSR Hosts Trial & Litigation Mastery MCLE Program in California The Firm partnered with the Westside Bar Association and Iranian American Bar Association of Los Angeles to present Trial & Litigation Mastery, an MCLE program featuring insights from accomplished trial lawyers. PSR attorneys Adam Shea, Erika Contreras, Jesse Creed, Jon Davidi, and Nick Yoka shared courtroom strategies and lessons with a well-attended audience of plaintiff attorneys.
PSR attorney Racheal Ross served as a coach for the 2026 Nevada State Bar Young Lawyers Section Mock Trial Competition, mentoring early-career attorneys through a products liability case and helping prepare them for trial before judges of Nevada’s Eighth Judicial District Court. Working alongside co-coach John Piro of the Clark County Public Defender’s Office, Ross led trial advocate exercises using the Firm’s Las Vegas mock courtroom, focusing on direct and cross-examination techniques. Racheal’s team member, Julio Garcia, earned Best Advocate honors in the competition. The Firm is proud to support programs that strengthen trial advocacy skills and invest in the next generation of plaintiff lawyers.
PSR Sponsors State Bar of Arizona Convention As a proud sponsor of the 2026 State Bar of Arizona Convention, PSR joined attorneys and judges from across the state for one of Arizona’s premier legal gatherings. The annual convention offered opportunities for continuing legal education, professional collaboration, and strengthening relationships within the Arizona legal community.
PSR Welcomes the 2026 Class of Summer Law Clerks and College Clerks PSR welcomed its 2026 class of summer law clerks and college clerks, who spent the summer gaining hands-on litigation experience and attending various proceedings, including depositions, hearings, and trial appearances, to observe Firm attorneys in practice. This year’s law clerks included Zoe Ash (Loyola Law School), Erin Esnard (Chapman University Fowler School of Law), Alexander Emmanuel (Pepperdine Caruso School of Law), Spencer Greenberg (Southwestern Law School), Chloe Riggins (Southwestern Law School), Brooke Underwood (Willamette University College of Law), Marissa Lambert (Boston University School of Law), and Yoka Panish Fellow Robert Price (Southwestern Law School). The Firm also welcomed college clerks Juan Rodriguez (University of Notre Dame), William Padian (University of Miami), Hannah Young (Loyola University Chicago), Maya Dingle (University of Oregon), Beckett Sheffield (University of Southern California), and Mackenzie Nelson (Tulane University).
Disclaimer: Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP has prepared this newsletter in a good faith effort to provide the general public information for its friends and clients. It is not intended to be either a solicitation or a source of legal advice nor does it create an attorney-client relationship with the firm. All lawsuits are different, and we make no representations or promises that results similar to those reported in this newsletter will be achieved in other cases. Nothing in this newsletter constitutes a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of any future legal matter. The publisher of the newsletter is a law firm whose members are licensed to practice in various states including California, Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Texas, Washington, and the District of Columbia and, with the assistance of local counsel, the firm practices in many other courts across the United States. In the event this newsletter fails to comply with the requirements of any state laws, Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP disclaims any wish to represent anyone in such state who seeks our representation based upon viewing this newsletter. Anyone who does not wish to receive this newsletter in the future can contact us at 877-800-1700 or unsubscribe.