Facts

On April 5, 2005, plaintiff Susan Johnson slipped and fell while getting out of the shower in her room at the defendant Santa Anita Inn. She and her husband were long-term guests at the Santa Anita Inn.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Johnson contended that the floor of the bathroom did not meet the minimum coefficient of friction required for safe bathroom floors. She also contended that the floor was unreasonably slippery and that there were three steps that could have been taken to make it safe: 1) acid etch the floor; 2) provide a non-slip coating; or, 3) provide a rubber-backed non-skid bathmat.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
Santa Anita Inn contended that the floor was reasonably safe and that Johnson's own negligence was the cause of her fall.

Settlement Discussions

Santa Anita Inn offered $17,500 per CCP b998 and Johnson's final demand was $175,000.

Injuries

Johnson suffered a fractured elbow requiring arthroplasty.

Result

The jury rendered a verdict for the defense.

Other Information

FILING DATE: March 18, 2007.

Deliberation

two days

Poll

9-3 (plaintiff on negligence), 9-3 (defense on causation)

Length

five days