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CONFIDENTIAL

May 31, 2001

Personal Injury (Non-Vehicular)
Premises Liability
Dangerous Condition

Confidential

Settlement –  $175,000

Judge

Joseph E. DiLoreto

Court

L.A. Superior Long Beach


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Werner R. Meissner
(Meissner Law Firm PC)


Facts

On March 21, 1998, the plaintiff, age 46, was leaving a friendÆs apartment at defendantsÆ apartment complex in
San Pedro by descending the cement slab stairs that led to an the exit from the building when the steps
collapsed beneath him. The stairs had rebar running lengthwise through the slab, and, due to the state of
disrepair, rebar rusted and the stairs were deteriorating and cracking.
The plaintiff brought this action against the defendants owners and apartment manager on premises liability
theories of recovery.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiffs made a C.C.P. Section 998 demand for $250,000. The defendants made an offer of $125,000 and the case settled at the mandatory settlement conference.

Specials in Evidence

$35,000 $20,000

Injuries

The plaintiff sustained a tear of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus of the right knee requiring a right knee arthroscopic lateral retinacular release, left rotator cuff tendinitis cervical and lumbosacral sprains with L5 radiculitus on the left and joint effusion and lateral subluxation of the patella compatible with a patellar tracking abnormality.

Other Information

The plaintiff received a $75,000 arbitration award, which the defendants appealed de novo.


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