Sean Ayala v. Hoosang Kashani, et al.
Published: Nov. 12, 1994 | Result Date: Oct. 12, 1994 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: BC076647 – $585,000
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior Central
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Stephen C. Ball
(Ball & Bonholtzer)
Defendant
Paul H. Burleigh
(Klinedinst PC)
James P. Zurawski
(M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers)
Experts
Plaintiff
Thomas D. Murtaugh
(technical)
Paul Rukasin
(technical)
Leah Ellenberg Ph.D.
(medical)
Andrea Morrison
(medical)
Defendant
Jafar Afrooz
(technical)
Mark VanHouten
(medical)
Leonard Patito
(technical)
Facts
On January 26, 1993, Plaintiff Sean Ayala, a 6-year-old boy, was playing in and around an old-fashioned elevator that had 2 doors: the hallway door and the elevator door. The hallway door had space bars in order to prevent someone from falling through a 9-inch gap between the 2 doors. Plaintiff Ayala climbed in between the space bars; the door closed; and the elevator car moved downward striking his head. Plaintiff made a sliding scale settlement with the landowner for $100,000 with a guarantee of $350,000; Ayala proceeded to trial against Defendants Western Elevator and Tillipman Elevator, the elevator service companies.
Settlement Discussions
Plaintiff contends that they demanded $100,000 from Western Elevator and that Defendant Western offered $25,000.
Specials in Evidence
not in evidence $300,000 - $500,000 $200,000
Injuries
Closed head injury with subtle neurological deficits. Plaintiff did not require treatment nor surgery.
Other Information
Plaintiff and Tillipman entered into a tentative settlement before trial for $15,000, but could not get good faith settlement approval from the Court.
Deliberation
2.5 days
Poll
11-0 negligence and causation, 11-2 damages
Length
6 days
For reprint rights or to order a copy of your photo:
Email
jeremy@reprintpros.com
for prices.
Direct dial: 949-702-5390