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Personal Injury (Non-Vehicular)
Medical Malpractice
Chiropractic Negligence

Mickey Schechter v. Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, Daniel Cordry, D.C., et al.

Published: Aug. 26, 1995 | Result Date: Jun. 28, 1995 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: VC015585 –  $0

Judge

William J. Birney

Court

L.A. Superior Norwalk


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Mark Harvey

Jeanne Karaffa


Defendant

Richard G. Reinjohn

Michael D. Lubrani


Experts

Plaintiff

Stephen A. Becker
(medical)

Michel F. Brones
(medical)

Defendant

Frederick Lerner
(medical)

Paul Milberg
(medical)

Facts

In August of 1992, Plaintiff Mickey Schechter, a 29-year-old plumber and partial paraplegic, was receiving rehabilitative therapy for a fall that occurred in August of 1990. During his rehabilitation, he was receiving care at Defendant Los Angeles College of Chiropractic from an intern. Defendant Dr. Daniel Cordry was the intern's supervisor. On August 11, 1992, the patient and intern arrived late for the appointment. Schechter complained of pain in his legs and left gluteus muscles. The intern had just worked these areas for several hours at another facility. Instead of placing hot packs on top of the affected areas, as had been done in the past, the intern placed the hot packs on top of the patient's thighs and laid the patient on top of a hot pack for the pain in the gluteus muscles. Plaintiff received second to third degree burns to the buttock.

Settlement Discussions

Defendants contend they offered $35,000 with an indication of $50,000 and Plaintiff demanded $150,000 reduced to a 998 in the amount of $79,999. Plaintiff contends that Defendant's offer was $5,000.

Specials in Evidence

$6,500 $175,000 $6,000

Damages

Plaintiff asked the jury to award damages totaling $300,000.

Injuries

Plaintiff claimed a third degree burn to the apex of gluteal requiring emergent care and disabling Plaintiff from working as a plumber for a temporary period; psychological scarring requiring ongoing psychotherapy. Plaintiff has a permanent scar that cannot be medically corrected; the scar has broken down since initially healing and inhibits many of his daily activities and work.

Deliberation

5.5 hours

Poll

9-3

Length

7 days


#102684

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