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Real Property
Fire
Commercial Business

Kyung Chan Rim, et al. v. Evi Chi Lim, et al.

Published: Mar. 5, 1994 | Result Date: Feb. 1, 1994 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: BC015038 –  $2,359,580

Judge

Ernest M. Hiroshige

Court

L.A. Superior Central West


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Michael S. Duberchin

William H. Steiner


Defendant

Alan M. Mund

William Clemons


Experts

Plaintiff

Mel Fineberg
(technical)

Thomas Derby
(technical)

Frank Comfort
(technical)

Raymond G. Schultz
(technical)

J. Robert Nelson
(technical)

Defendant

William A. Keener
(technical)

George Magula
(technical)

Facts

On December 5, 1989, fire of an undetermined origin broke out in a 10-story building in the garment district of downtown Los Angeles. The fire began in a storeroom, on the premises of a business owned by tenant Defendant Lim, located on the sixth floor, and spread to upper floors occupied by Plaintiffs Rim (7th and 8th floors) and Super Fashion (9th floor). Water and smoke damaged the premises below the fire, businesses owned by Plaintiffs Sun Kyung Choi (5th floor) and Wybaczynsky (dba Maria's Belt Creations) (3rd floor). The fire doors in the building were open, facilitating the spread of the fire to the upper floors.

Settlement Discussions

Plaintiffs contend they demanded $2,000,000 reduced to $650,000; Lim (in his Cross-complaint) demanded $650,000 reduced to $300,000; and Hassid offered nothing increased to $250,000 for all Plaintiffs and Cross-complainant Lim, at the time of trial.

Damages

The damages claimed by each of the Plaintiffs and Cross-complainants are as follows: $800,000 Rim; $500,000 Maria's Belt Creations; $47,500 Super Fashion; $100-110,000 Sun Kyung Choi; $650,000 Lim; and $2,800,000 Hassid.

Deliberation

2 weeks

Poll

10-2

Length

9 weeks


#77759

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