Joan Aarestad and David Oswalt v. Shuwa Management Corporation, North American Building Management, Southland Industries and ABM Security
Published: Nov. 20, 1999 | Result Date: Jun. 1, 1999 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: BC144400 – $43,580
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior Central
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Bryan Jick
(medical)
Mark Mehringer
(medical)
David Wagner
(medical)
Heidi Paul Ph.D.
(technical)
Bruce R. Goodmiller
(medical)
Alexander Beebee
(medical)
Paulo Serafini
(medical)
Mark J. Mills
(medical)
John Sharry
(technical)
John R. Brownlee
(medical)
Robert Asarnu
(medical)
Elaine Phelps
(medical)
Erin D. Bigler
(medical)
Roger Benson
(technical)
Henry F.W. Pribram
(medical)
Fred Mishkin
(medical)
Susan P. Bleecker CPA
(technical)
James G. Dahlgren M.D.
(medical)
H. Ronald Fisk M.D., Ph.D.
(medical)
Defendant
William Surtherling
(medical)
Martin J. Siegel
(technical)
Richard B. Andrade
(technical)
Thomas J. Feeley
(Thomas J. Feeley APC)
(technical)
Franklin G. Moser
(medical)
Marc Lebed
(medical)
Arthur Goldstein
(medical)
Wayne Martin
(technical)
Norman I. Perle
(technical)
Phillip Harber
(medical)
Alan D. Waxman
(medical)
Lester M. Zackler M.D.
(medical)
M. Joseph M. Fedoruk M.D.
(medical)
Michael A. Weiner
(medical)
Kyle B. Boone Ph.D.
(medical)
Thomas E. Higgins
(technical)
Edward L. Workman
(technical)
Lewis Charles Barbe
(technical)
Facts
On Feb. 28, 1995, an employee of defendant Southland Industries started a fire (admitted by stipulation) at a high-rise office building where plaintiff, a 7+ month pregnant partner in a litigation firm, was a tenant. PlaintiffÆs manager called defendant ABM Security for assistance and was instructed to stand by at her 18th floor stairwell. The plaintiff and the manager waited for 15 minutes. When no help arrived, plaintiff descended the 18 floors to the street.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff demanded $5,100,000, and defendants offered pursuant to CCP Section 998 10,000 from Shuwa Investment Corp., $25,000 from Southland, and $50,000 from ABM Security.
Injuries
The plaintiff was hospitalized for 24 hours. The plaintiff alleged permanent brain damage, cognitive impairments, short-term memory loss, smoke inhalation, respiratory irritation (asthma), and pre-labor contractions. The plaintiff also received 5 weeks of monitoring with a Trebutaline pump, which infused medication as needed to prevent contractions. Additionally, she contended that she suffered mental anguish over the possibility of a miscarriage and/or the effect of toxins on her embryo.
Other Information
PlaintiffÆs testimony was impeached at trial as to her pre-existing treatment and symptoms. PlaintiffÆs husband, an attorney, claimed loss of consortium/companionship, inability to converse about legal issues. The husbandÆs claims were rejected by the jury, which awarded him nothing. An anticipated motion for costs may result in a substantial verdict for costs against the plaintiff (pursuant to C.C.P. º998) and largely offset the original verdict. On Aug. 25, 1999, Judge Emilie Elias denied the motion for new trial on all grounds presented.
Deliberation
3½ days
Poll
10-2
Length
30 days
For reprint rights or to order a copy of your photo:
Email
jeremy@reprintpros.com
for prices.
Direct dial: 949-702-5390