Robert Tuck v. Westec Security, Inc., et al.
Published: Feb. 1, 1997 | Result Date: Sep. 23, 1996 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: BC131221 – $650,000
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior Central
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Jeffrey H. Reeves
(Theodora Oringher)
Experts
Plaintiff
Kenneth Lawrence
(technical)
Ted Vavoulis
(technical)
Francine B. Kulick
(technical)
Defendant
Keith Ugone
(technical)
John Pride
(technical)
Charles Scott Saunders
(medical)
Richard H. Polsky
(technical)
Facts
On April 3, 1995, Robert Tuck, a 25-year-old man, was hired to provide pet sitting services at a home in Laurel Canyon. He was walking the dog on the street when defendant Westec's security guard stopped him and demanded identification. After providing verbal identification, an argument ensued. The plaintiff then went into the house with the dog and subsequently agreed to exchange written identification with a different Westec Security guard. Later, the plaintiff opened the door to speak with the Westec Security guards when the dog escaped from the house and the plaintiff went to retrieve him. The Westec Security guards shot and killed the dog in a narrow stairway where the plaintiff was standing. The guards claimed that the dog had attacked one of them. After the shooting, the guards then arrested and handcuffed the plaintiff on suspicion of burglary. The handcuffs caused abrasions and bleeding, and were later removed by the Los Angeles Police Department. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendants, the security company and the guards, based on assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent supervision hiring and retention theories of recovery.
Settlement Discussions
The defendants made a C.C.P. º998 offer of compromise for $20,000.
Specials in Evidence
$ _______ $ _______ $_______ $ _______
Injuries
The plaintiff claimed he suffered severe emotional distress over a period of months, resulting in a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. The plaintiff also claimed that he suffered abrasions and physical injuries when Westec placed him in handcuffs. The plaintiff received free psychological counseling and could not afford any other medical treatment.
Other Information
The verdict was reached approximately one year and two months after the case was filed.
Deliberation
7 hours (liability and compensatory); 1+ hours (punitive damages)
Poll
9-3 (liability); 10-2 (punitive damages)
Length
15 days
For reprint rights or to order a copy of your photo:
Email
jeremy@reprintpros.com
for prices.
Direct dial: 949-702-5390