Denise Wilder v. Montgomery Kone Inc., ITT Sheraton
Published: Aug. 17, 1996 | Result Date: Jul. 23, 1996 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: KC019706 – $0
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior Norwalk
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Michael J. Danner
(Law Offices of Michael J. Danner)
Michael J. Danner
(Law Offices of Michael J. Danner)
Experts
Plaintiff
Richard D. Jones
(Jones Mayer)
(medical)
Stuart Neffeler
(technical)
Russell Kramer
(technical)
Russell Kramer
(technical)
Stuart Neffeler
(technical)
Richard D. Jones
(Jones Mayer)
(technical)
David Kupfer
(medical)
David Kupfer
(medical)
Defendant
Charles S. Lane
(medical)
Donald Hoy
(technical)
Theodore Vavoulis
(technical)
Barry Friesen
(technical)
Charles S. Lane
(medical)
Theodore Vavoulis
(technical)
Facts
On May 15, 1994, plaintiff Denise Wilder, a 29-year-old hairstylist, claimed that while using an elevator in defendant ITT Sheraton, her right hand was caught between two closing passenger elevator doors. She was attempting to keep the doors from closing at the request of a person waiting to get into the elevator at the time of the incident. The plaintiff alleged that the doors crushed and cut her right hand when they closed. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendants, Montgomery Kone, Inc. (who installed and maintained the elevator), ITT Sheraton and Beck Summit Hotel Management, based on premises liability and common carrier theories of recovery.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made a C.C.P. º998 settlement demand for $300,000. The defendants made no settlement offers.
Specials in Evidence
$9,500 $12,000 $300,000 $2,500
Injuries
The plaintiff alleged a partial amputation and a fracture to a portion of a finger on her right hand in addition to fractures to other fingers on her right hand, requiring surgery and future surgery to repair the nail bed of the long finger on her right hand.
Other Information
The verdict was reached approximately one year and two months after the case was filed. POSTY TRIAL MOTIONS: The plaintiffs intend to file an appeal.
Deliberation
3 hours
Poll
12-0 (ITT Sheraton); 9-3 (Montogmery Kone Inc.)
Length
5 days
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