Confidential
Verdict – $475,000Judge
Court
San Francisco Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
James B. Stark
(medical)
Derald Seid
(medical)
Mitchell S. Stoller
(technical)
Defendant
Lindsey E. Blenkhorn
(medical)
Richard Hogan
(technical)
Facts
Plaintiff Abdullah Karim, a 58-year-old, was employed as a deck engine utility worker on defendant's vessel. On Feb. 14, 1997, the plaintiff moved a dialectric mat weighing over 100 pounds in the engine room. The plaintiff claimed that when he lifted the mat, he suffered a back injury.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff damanded $450,000, which was lowered to $350,000, with an indication of $150,000. The defendant offered $12,500 which was raised to $25,000 at the mandatory settlement conference.
Injuries
The plaintiff suffered an L4-5 herniated disc, causing irritation of the L4-5 nerve, which was verified by a lower extremity radiculopathy. The plaintiff claimed that he was permanently disabled. The defendant expert testified that plaintiff had a bulging disc which was not herniated and was not causing any nerve irritation.
Other Information
The defense verdict pertained to the plaintiff's negligence claim. The plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the unseaworthiness claim during trial.
Deliberation
three hours
Poll
9-3
Length
seven days
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