Confidential
Settlement – $250,000Facts
On July 23, 1997, a fire caused substantial damage to a residence located in Santa Clarita. The fire was investigated for cause and origin by an arson investigator, Richard R. Moon, a 32-year veteran of the County of Los Angeles Fire Dept. Investigator Moon determined that the fire originated in an attached two-car garage. Moon concluded that the most probable ignition source was an electric tumbler used to polish brass ammunition casings. A private fire cause and origin investigator hired by the plaintiff insurer concurred with investigator Moon's findings. An electrical engineer retained by the plaintiff confirmed the presence of electrical arcing on the motor wire and opined the tumbler as the fire ignition source. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendants based on strict products liability.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made a C.C.P. º998 settlement demand for $______. The defendants made C.C.P. º998 offer of compromise for $ ______.
Damages
The plaintiff insurer paid its insured $347,678.50 for damage to the dwelling, contents and additional living expenses. The legally recoverable damages, on an actual cash value basis, totalled $281,303.21.
Other Information
The settlement was reached approximately eight months after the case was filed. A mediation was scheduled for May 7, 1999, before Kenneth C. Gibbs.
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