A California jury recently awarded $578,700 to a woman who suffered severe injuries when a highway patrol officer's car collided with her vehicle. Attorneys representing the plaintiff, Diana Beverlin, alleged the defendant, Carl Thompson, fell asleep while on duty, causing the officer to lose control of his squad car. Thompson's vehicle subsequently slammed into the driver's side door of Beverlin's car. The plaintiff sustained a concussion as well as shoulder and hip injuries. She was unable to return to her job as a certified nursing assistant (CNA).