Sonja Justin and Anthony Smith v. San Francisco Housing Authority, et. al.
Published: Aug. 29, 1998 | Result Date: Jul. 16, 1998 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: 988729 Verdict – $0
Judge
Court
San Francisco Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Robert Teasdale Jr.
(medical)
Robert G. Liptai
(technical)
Scott D. Alber
(technical)
Facts
On Sept. 17, 1996, plaintiff Sonja Justin, a 32-year-old cashier, was allegedly burned in her kitchen when her gas stove exploded. The plaintiffs alleged that these burns were caused as a consequence of the negligence of defendant San Francisco Housing Authority. The plaintiffs alleged that the defendant Housing Authority had knowledge of a gas leak in the stove, failed to respond to requests, for repairs and failed to provide a functioning fire alarm/suppression system in the unit they rented. The plaintiffs, the injured party and her husband, brought this action against the defendants based on negligence and loss of consortium theories of recovery.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made a settlement demand for $150,000 (plaintiff wife) and $15,000 (plaintiff husband). The defendant made a C.C.P. º998 offer of $15,000 (plaintiff wife) and $5,000 (plaintiff husband).
Specials in Evidence
$700,000 $15,000
Damages
The plaintiff husband claimed loss of consortium.
Injuries
The plaintiff sustained 1st to 3rd degree burns over 40 percent of her body, requiring a four-month hospital stay and physical therapy. She has permanent disability and future medicals are certain. The plaintiffs' expert testified that residuals would be multiple scars from burns and skin grafts, left elbow contracture, permanent right ankle tendinitis, clinical depression and pulmonary defects.
Other Information
The verdict was reached approximately 11 months after the case was filed. A settlement conference was held on April 9, 1998, before Judge Deanman, of San Francisco Superior Court, resulting in no settlement. According to the defendant, the plaintiff's technical expert was discredited. POST TRIAL MOTIONS: The plaintiff's motion for a new trial is pending.
Deliberation
one day
Poll
10-2
Length
six days
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