Confidential
Settlement – $725,000Judge
Court
L.A. Superior San Fernando
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Douglas D. Shaffer
(Dordick Law Corporation)
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Daniel Luthringer
(medical)
Robert T. Goldweber M.D.
(medical)
Harold S. Marcus
(medical)
Joyce Elaine Pickersgill
(technical)
Defendant
Theodore Vavoulis
(technical)
Ara Tilkian
(medical)
john levin
(medical)
Facts
On Feb. 15, 2000, the decedent, while working at his employerÆs film studio as a carpenter, began to experience
chest pains. He was examined by a nurse at the studio and his blood pressure was found to be within a normal
range and his vital signs were normal, i.e. no sweating, change of color etc. He was advised to see his own
doctor and he immediately proceeded to an urgent care facility near his home in Santa Clarita where he was
examined.
An EKG was administered and read as normal. Upon an examination by the attendant physician, the plaintiff
was found to have a muscular pain which was reproducible upon palpitation just under his arm pit. He was
diagnosed with a muscle strain, and was prescribed anti-inflammatory and sent home. The plaintiff saw his
chiropractor later that afternoon, returned home and went to bed.
At approximately 3 a.m. the next morning, the plaintiff awoke with severe chest pain and
died of cardiac arrest.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made a C.C.P. Section 998 Demand of $650,000 which expired on April 21, 2001. No consent until two days before trial. Two days before trial settlement discussions began which led to the settlement in the amount of $725,000. The case was settled via a mediation before retired judge Thomas Schneider.
Specials in Evidence
$900,000 (past and future)
Injuries
The loss of a 49-year-old husband and father.
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