Ricardo Arredondo v. Christo Rey Catholic Church
Published: Feb. 14, 1998 | Result Date: Nov. 7, 1997 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: BC132586 Verdict – $0
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior Central
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Khosrow Tabaddor
(medical)
Defendant
Ned Wolfe M.E.
(technical)
Theodore B. Goldstein
(medical)
Facts
On Aug. 1, 1994, plaintiff Ricardo Arredondo, a 44-year-old man, volunteered to repair broken tiles on the roof of defendant Christo Rey Catholic Church. The plaintiff was a 20-year member of the defendant church. Plaintiff assembled a crew of two or three helpers and purchased the necessary materials. On the morning of the incident, plaintiff asked the church maintenance man to retrieve the church ladder. The church maintenance man testified that the ladder was defective since the footing pads were loose, worn and a leg was bent. While descending the ladder, plaintiff alleged that the bottom of the ladder slid out from under him, causing him to fall 10 feet, and land on his buttocks. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendant based on negligence and premises liability theories of recovery.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made a settlement demand for $1 million. The defendant made a C.C.P. º998 offer of compromise for $37,000.
Specials in Evidence
$8,000 $101,000 $520,000 unknown
Damages
The plaintiff claimed specials (inability to work resulted in loss of family residence and 2 rental properties).
Injuries
The plaintiff claimed a compression fracture at level T-12. Plaintiff lost 50 percent disc height at T-12 and the fracture healed in kyphosis state. The plaintiff also suffered injury to his right testicle, neck and radicular symptoms in right leg. The plaintiff underwent surgery to his right testicle, chiropractic care and physical therapy with a two-day hospital stay. Plaintiff claimed residual injuries include constant neck pain, pain and numbness in right leg, testicle pain and impotence.
Other Information
The verdict was reached approximately two years and four months after the case was filed. An arbitration was held on Nov. 21, 1996, before Rudolph Schroeder of Lord Bissell & Brook resulting in an award for plaintiff in the amount of $34,950.
Deliberation
two days
Poll
11-1
Length
5½ days
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