Diane Renton, Patricia Renton, James Renton v. Moss & Enochian, a Law Corp.; Jones, Clifford, McDevitt & Johnson, A Law Partnership, et al.
Published: Dec. 7, 2004 | Result Date: Jun. 29, 2004 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: 319835 Verdict – $0
Judge
Court
San Francisco Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Karen M. Goodman
(Goodman & Associates)
Thomas J. D'Amato
(D'Amato Law Corporation)
Experts
Plaintiff
Warren Barnhart
(technical)
James L. Plummer
(technical)
Troy Bowman
(technical)
Defendant
Jerald H. Udinsky
(technical)
Kenneth Orloff
(technical)
Kent Krizman
(technical)
Facts
In 1991, a Piper Comanche 180 crashed while attempting a maneuver after an aborted landing at the Dunsmuir-Mott airport in Siskiyou County. The pilot was Richard Renton, a 41-year-old attorney. Renton's family sued for wrongful death. They hired two law firms, one for the wrongful death claim and one for a workers' compensation claim. The wrongful death action was dismissed following a payment of $10,000 by Piper. The workers' compensation action was compromised for $70,000. Thereafter, Renton's wife and two children sued the two law firms for legal malpractice.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiffs demanded $3,000,000. The defendants offered $1,525,000 (joint offer) at mediation.
Specials in Evidence
between $4.2 million and $6.5 million
Damages
The plaintiffs claimed economic and non-economic damages for the wrongful death of the decedent. They also claimed loss of care, comfort and society.
Result
Defense
Deliberation
three hours
Poll
9-3
Length
nine days
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