Kikuye Nakagawa v. Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Published: Jun. 27, 1998 | Result Date: Jan. 29, 1998 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: BC170351 Verdict – $0
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior Central
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Rickey Ivie
(Ivie, McNeill, Wyatt, Purcell & Diggs, APLC)
Experts
Plaintiff
Jan Roughan R.N.
(medical)
John S. Fabian
(technical)
Kenneth A. Solomon
(technical)
Monica R. Abrew
(medical)
Samuel L. Biggers
(medical)
Edward L. Schneider
(medical)
Defendant
Gene Bruno M.S., C.R.C., C.C.M., C.D.M.S.
(technical)
Thomas F. Fugger Jr., P.E.
(technical)
Barry I. Ludwig M.D.
(medical)
Facts
On Feb. 28, 1997, the plaintiff Kikuye Nakagawa, an 86-year-old retiree, was a passenger on defendant Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus. The bus stopped at the intersection of Caesar Chavez and Rowan, and the plaintiff fell down the front stairwell and out the door, striking her head on the curb. Thereafter, she suffered dizziness and became unbalanced while walking. In September 1997, the plaintiff fell and fractured her hip, requiring surgery with internal fixation. She is currently confined to a wheelchair and is only able to walk short distances with a walker. Prior to her injuries, the plaintiff was in good health and completely independent. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendant based on negligence theories of recovery.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made a settlement demand for $1.5 million with an indication of $1million. The defendant made an offer of $250,000.
Specials in Evidence
$72,550 $388,000
Injuries
The plaintiff alleged a fractured hip requiring surgery and with internal fixation, and a subdural hematoma requiring a craniotomy. She suffers residual left-sided weakness, dizziness, and short-term amnesia.
Other Information
The verdict was reached approximately 10 months after the case was filed.
Deliberation
1½ days
Poll
9-3
Length
nine days
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