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Personal Injury (Non-Vehicular)
Product Liability
Defective Product

Christopher Amo v. Home Depot U.S.A., Inc.

Published: Dec. 6, 1997 | Result Date: Sep. 5, 1997 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: 209057 –  $0

Judge

Raymond J. Giordano

Court

Sonoma Superior


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Barbara L. Bozman-Moss


Defendant

Joy Stephanie Krmpotic
(Low, Ball & Lynch)


Experts

Plaintiff

David Huang
(medical)

Barry Ben-Zion Ph.D.
(technical)

Lawrence Read
(technical)

Michael D. Carson
(medical)

Lisa Hake
(medical)

Terry Woodard
(medical)

Defendant

Glen R. Stevick Ph.D., PE
(technical)

Phillip H. Allman III, Ph.D.
(technical)

Facts

On Aug. 27, 1994, plaintiff Christopher Amo, a 42-year-old bookkeeper, was attempting to stretch a bungee cord across the back of his truck to hold down cardboard boxes. The cord struck him in the left eye resulting in permanent injury. The plaintiff alleged that he bought the cord from defendant Home Depot in Santa Rosa. The cord was purchased with cash and plaintiff did not have a receipt. After the bungee cord came out of its bag, there were no identifying marks as to the manufacturer. The plaintiff brought this action against the retail defendant based on a product liability theory of recovery.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff made a settlement demand for $298,000. The defendant made a C.C.P. º998 offer of compromise for $25,001.

Specials in Evidence

$16,500 $10,000 to $50,000

Damages

The plaintiff asked the jury for $750,000 to $800,000.

Injuries

Loss of vision in the left eye.

Other Information

The verdict was reached approximately three years after the case was filed.

Deliberation

one day

Poll

9-3

Length

eight days


#112933

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