Daniel Wright, as Guardian Ad Litem for Nate Wright v. Mark Fairchild, et al.
Published: Jul. 27, 2004 | Result Date: Mar. 9, 2004 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: NC031627 Verdict – $0
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior Torrance
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Joseph P. Pierry
(Pierry Law Firm)
Defendant
Terrence J. Schafer
(Doyle, Schafer & McMahon LLP)
Experts
Plaintiff
Michael E. Gold M.D., F.A.A.N.
(medical)
Robert Liberman
(medical)
Sara Ohringer
(medical)
Paul Satz
(medical)
Peter Formuzis Ph.D.
(technical)
Defendant
Lester M. Zackler M.D.
(medical)
Ted Vavoulis
(technical)
David L. Braff
(medical)
Facts
Nate Wright, then 24 and unemployed, was admitted to St. Mary's Medical Center in Long Beach after he attempted suicide on Feb. 18, 2001 and was assigned a 24-hour sitter to guard against further attempts. Mark Fairchild, the consulting psychiatrist assigned to Wright, attempted to evaluate Wright on that day, but found him unresponsive. During an evaluation on Feb. 19, Wright told Fairchild that he had taken all of the pills in his possession. Fairchild at that time recommended that Wright be transferred for in-patient psychiatric care and left the sitter in place. Four hours later, without visiting Wright again, the doctor issued an order allowing Wright to be moved and canceling the sitter. On the evening of Feb. 20, Wright jumped out the sixth floor window of his hospital room.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff demanded $1 million. The defendant offered $29,999.
Specials in Evidence
Wright claimed that, as a result of the brain injury, he will be virtually unemployable and will require 24-hour attendant care for the rest of his life at a cost of more than $10 million.
Damages
Wright claimed that, as a result of the brain injury, he will be virtually unemployable and will require 24-hour attendant care for the rest of his life at a cost of more than $10 million.
Injuries
Wright suffered a traumatic brain injury, most pronounced in the frontal lobal.
Other Information
Defendant Mark Fairchild was the sole remaining defendant at the time of trial.
Deliberation
2.5 hours
Poll
12-0
Length
17 days
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