Facts

Plaintiff Karen Cullinane filed suit against defendants Cushman & Wakefield, HJK Enterprises, Inc. dba La Fogata Restaurant Jones Lang LaSalle Inc., in relation to alleged mold exposure.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff, a former vice-president/branch manager, claimed that she suffered numerous ailments as a result of exposure to mold in the basement of a bank branch in a building that Cushman & Wakefield and Jones Lang LaSalle appeared currently and previously as the facilities manager. Among plaintiff's numerous complaints were rashes, respiratory issues, and a fungal ball that had to be extracted from her sinuses. Plaintiff contended that the process of removing the fungal ball resulted in partial facial paralysis. Plaintiff underwent six sinus surgeries following the alleged exposure.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS: Defendants contended they met the standard of care by notifying the bank of mold issues in the basement. Additionally, evidence was presented to dispute the causal link between the alleged exposure and the claimed damages.

Settlement Discussions

Prior to trial, Cushman & Wakefield had offered $150,000 as a CCP 998 offer. JLL offered $150,000, and La Fogata offered $10,000.

Damages

Plaintiff was seeking approximately $3 million in damages.

Result

Defense verdict. The jury determined that defendants were not negligent. Plaintiff settled with the owner of the subject property on the first day of trial.

Deliberation

63 minutes

Poll

11-1 (Cushman & Wakefield); 12-0 (Jones Lang LaSalle and HJK Enterprises)

Length

nine weeks