Julio Cesar Villamariona-Garcia is survived by a widow and three daughters. | Photos: Eternal Valley Memorial Park
CBS has been ordered to pay $10.45 million in the wrongful death of a Reseda man who was killed while working on “NCIS” in Santa Clarita.
The network reportedly already agreed to pay $450,000, for lost wages, to the surviving family members of Julio Cesar Villamariona-Garciao, 52, who died in 2011 after he was struck by a passenger van in a parking lot near the popular crime drama’s set.
The trial for the lawsuit began Thursday.
CBS did not release a statement regarding the decision, or whether officials planned to appeal the verdict in the lawsuit.
From a previous story:
Villamariona lost his left eye at a young age and survived a civil war in his native El Salvador, where he headed a financial institution as well as a family-owned restaurant.
The complaint alleges Ralph Blunt, who was working as a driver for a company assisting in the show’s production, drove the van into Villamariona as the security guard was fastening down an awning in a Santa Clarita parking lot.
Blunt suffered a “medical emergency,” reportedly causing him to black out before the crash and drive the van into Villamariona on Feb. 9, 2011, according to initial reports. The van continued into the parking lot struck two more parked cars before coming to a stop.
The collision occurred at 10:05 a.m. in the 24800 block of Avenue Rockefeller as Villamariona was working for First Shot Security. Villamariona died the same day. Blunt also was taken to the hospital for medical care.
There were no arrests in connection with the incident, according to Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies.
CBS Television Studios and CBS Entertainment issued a joint statement after the collision: “Everyone at the network, the studio and NCIS is devastated at the news. Our hearts grieve for his family and friends for this tragic loss. We are, of course, cooperating with local authorities in Santa Clarita to help determine what caused this terrible accident.”
The plaintiffs are being represented by Panish, Shea & Boyle, litigators known within personal injury law circles for several notable lawsuit awards for damages.
The firm recently represented the Jackson family in its unsuccessful suit against AEG Live.
The family is seeking damages for the costs associated with the medical expenses and death of Villamariona, as well as damages for the loss of a family member.
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4 Comments
May your faith sustain you as your family journeys forward…
May your faith sustain you as your family journeys forward…
May your faith sustain you as your family journeys forward…
julio cesar villamariona no solo tiene 3 hijas hay un hijo tambien en el salvador.