Scott Schuster, et al. v. Crainco, Inc., et al.
Published: Aug. 1, 1998 | Result Date: Jun. 1, 1998 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: PC019442 Verdict – $1,275,000
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior San Fernando
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Robert W. Mansell
(Mansell & Mansell APC)
Robert I. Manuwal
(Manuwal & Manuwal)
Defendant
Robert S. Rubin
(Law Offices of Norman Nadel)
Experts
Plaintiff
Randy Sherman
(medical)
John R. Davis
(technical)
Defendant
Bernard Endfield
(technical)
Facts
Plaintiff Scott Schuster, a 38-year-old sheet metal worker, was installing a ventillation system at an industrial site. His employer contracted with Crainco Inc. to provide crane services for the job. After setting an 8,000-pound blower in place, the plaintiff disconnected the rigging straps from the load and signalled to the operator to raise the crane line out of the way. As the crane operator began to raise his boom, one of the rigging straps snagged onto the load, lifting the load about 6-8 inches. The plaintiff signalled for the crane operator to stop. However, the crane operator admittedly was looking at the tip of his boom. The plaintiff first attempted to kick the snag free, then tried to jump out of the way. The snag disengaged as the plaintiff was jumping out of the way, and the load fell onto the plaintiff's right heel. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendant based on negligence.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made a settlement demand for $650,000 exclusive of lien. The defendant made an offer of $150,000 exclusive of lien.
Specials in Evidence
$99,214.41 $40,100 $14,000 $100,000
Injuries
The plaintiff claimed a partially severed Achilles tendon, calcaneous fracture, avulsion injury to heel, requiring several surgeries, including repairing the Achilles tendon and skin grafts.
Other Information
The verdict was reached approximately 1+ years after the case was filed. Robert Mansell of Grayson, Grayson & Mansell was associated in as trial counsel two months before trial.
Deliberation
1½ days
Poll
12-0
Length
nine days
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