Facts

Tadayuki Furui was helping his girlfriend, Georgia Rew, clean a chandelier at the loft in Rew's salon, The Pretty Pretty Collective in San Francisco. After leaning on what Furui thought to be a railing, it opened and Furui plummeted more than ten feet to the floor below. Furui suffered injuries to his face, back, neck, chest, and shoulder. He brought a lawsuit against Rew dba The Pretty Pretty Collective; Cutler Properties, LLC, the property owner; Real Management Co., the property management company; and the owner of Real Management, Co. Furui alleged that defendants failed to maintain the premises in a safe condition thereby creating a dangerous condition. He also alleged Rew failed to warn him of the dangerous condition.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff contended defendant Rew removed the walls in the loft area, which previously prevented anyone from falling, and placed rails that were modified to appear as a gate. Plaintiff contended defendant Rew failed to warn him about the modification made to the loft area. Plaintiff contended the modifications were not in compliance with the California Building Code. Plaintiff contended the property owners and management defendants gave defendant Rew permission to make such modifications and defendant Rew failed to obtain permits from the City and County of San Francisco. As a result, plaintiff contended all defendants caused his injuries.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS: Defendants denied all of the contentions. Defendants contended defendant Rew agreed to defend and indemnify the property owners and managers in the lease agreement.

Insurer

State Farm Insurance Cos. for Rew Great Lakes Insurance SE through Pro Insurance Associates, LLC. for remaining defendants

Specials in Evidence

Medical special damages: $156,233.95.

Injuries

Complex skull fracture; Epidural hematoma 1 cm; Multiple rib fractures; Pulmonary contusions; Comminuted right scapular fracture intra-articular; Right clavicle fracture non-displaced; Fracture nondisplaced T4-6 vertebral bodies; Left occipital condyle fracture; Right small apical pneumothorax with chest tube

Result

The case settled for $1.6 million, with Rew's insurer agreeing to pay her policy limits of $1 million and the remaining defendants' insurer agreeing to pay $600,000, for a total settlement of $1.6 million to Furui.