City denies claim from car crash
An Edgerton woman whose vehicle was struck by a Janesville police squad car in August plans to sue the city for medical expenses and pain and suffering.
The city council Wednesday denied a $27,500 claim filed by Lorillee Castiglioni and her husband, Anthony Castiglioni.
A claim is considered a precursor to a lawsuit.
The crash occurred Aug. 21 as officer Karl Mikkelsen was responding to a crash at Milton and Blaine avenues.
Mikkelsen approached the scene traveling north on Milton Avenue and tried to make a U-turn to protect the accident scene. In the process, the squad car he was driving struck the passenger side of Castiglioni’s vehicle.
The claim states that Mikkelsen “turned on his flashers” but failed to exercise caution when making the U-turn.
“The failure of officer Mikkelsen to exercise reasonable care in operating the motor vehicle caused the motor vehicle accident,” according to the claim.
The Wisconsin State Patrol investigated the incident. Although the accident report stated Mikkelsen made an improper turn, the investigating trooper concluded that neither party should be cited.
Lorillee Castiglioni’s claim, filed Dec. 12, says she has incurred about $5,000 in medical expenses, including treatment for neck and back injuries.
The couple are seeking $25,000 for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering, as well as $2,500 for Anthony Castiglioni’s loss of companionship.
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Dec 31, 2007 at 12:06 a.m.
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The point isn't what she was doing to cause or be a part of the first accident. The point is that the officer hit her car when he was pulling up to the first accident. I'm sorry, if you can't successfully make a U turn, maybe you shouldn't be driving around a squad car for a living.
Dec 30, 2007 at 12:15 a.m.
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He was making a u turn. I doubt he was breaking any speed records! How fast was Ms. Castiglioni going? Officer Mikkelson had his flashers on. Why didn't Ms. Castiglioni See them? On the phone, rubber-necking? Who knows. But a $27,500 claim?!?! Another frivolous lawsuit by someone trying to make a quick buck!! I hope I get called for jury duty!!!
Dec 29, 2007 at 11:14 p.m.
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How fast was he going? Can't you tell us that?
Dec 29, 2007 at 9:44 p.m.
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So, wait...if officer Mikkelsen is not to blame for HIS squad car hitting Ms. Castiglioni's truck during a U-turn, then who's fault is it? This is absurd. HE should be cited and should pay for her medical expenses and loss of wages. Why in the world should she and her husband have to pay all of that for the Officer's carelessness?
Dec 27, 2007 at 9:08 p.m.
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"$2,500 for Anthony Castiglioni’s loss of companionship"? What's the street price in Janesville nowadays for one session of "companionship"? I don't think that Lil' Lorillee should get any more than reasonable and customary charges!
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