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CONFIDENTIAL

Jan. 30, 1999

Attorneys
Legal Malpractice
Negligence

Confidential

Settlement –  $190,000

Mediator

Jeffrey P. Palmer

Court

L.A. Superior Van Nuys


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Garland O. Bell


Defendant

Nora J. Hite

Walter Klein


Facts

On Feb. 13, 1991, plaintiff, a 38-year-old police officer, was involved in a low-altitude mid-air collision between a helicopter and a light aircraft that resulted in fatalities and bodily injuries among the survivors. The plaintiff was carried from scene by ambulance and spent several days in hospital for his soft tissue injuries. After the accident, plaintiff retained defendant attorneys to sue for personal injuries. The case arose from a failure to investigate, timely file a complaint for bodily injury, pursue litigation after filing, a failure to name responsible defendants. Specifically, defendant failed to prosecute the case in a timely fashion. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendant based on legal malpractice.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff made a settlement demand for $350,000. The defendant made an offer of $65,000.

Specials in Evidence

$29,297 $30,000

Damages

The plaintiff claimed _____________ in damages.

Injuries

The plaintiff claimed damages for soft tissue injuries, emotional distress and loss of earnings.

Other Information

A 6-hour mediation was held before Jeffrey P. Palmer, of Mediation Specialists, Inc. resulting in settlement.


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