Confidential
Settlement – $3,600,000Court
L.A. Superior Central
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Steven V. Angarella
(Angarella Law)
Robert A. Brenner
(Law Office of Robert A. Brenner)
Experts
Plaintiff
Maria Schreiber
(medical)
Llorens Pembrook
(medical)
Sandra Schneider
(technical)
Michel F. Brones
(medical)
Clinton Tempereau
(medical)
Kenneth R. Laughery
(technical)
Jerry L. Hildreth
(technical)
Douglas Bennett
(technical)
Peter Formuzis Ph.D.
(technical)
Facts
The plaintiff, a 61-year-old store planner for a national fashion retailer, was in the process of opening a new store
in Canoga Park.
A general contractor, the defendant, was hired to undertake the necessary construction work. The project fell
far behind schedule and missed several opening dates.
On Sep. 20, 1999, the store passed final inspection and awaited the installation of an electrical meter. In an
effort to allow the store to open for business, a job superintendent for the defendant construction company
attempted to bypass the electrical meter.
This caused an explosion and the plaintiff, who was standing nearby, sustained burn
injuries.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff submitted an initial demand of $5.5 million. The defendant's initial offer was $750,000.
Specials in Evidence
$150,000
Injuries
The plaintiff suffered second and third degree burns to approximately 20 to 25 percent of his body surface. He was hospitalized at LAC-USC Medical Center for 10 days and had one skin graft surgery.
Other Information
The general contractor contributed $3 million towards the agreed settlement of $3.6 million. The electrical subcontractor contributed $500,000 and various other defendants contributed a total of $100,000. A mediation was held before retired judge Irwin Nebron of ARC.
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