Ronnie Jones v. Hollywood Community Housing Corporation, John Ehretz
Published: Oct. 2, 1999 | Result Date: Jul. 2, 1999 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: BC181958 – $2,007,500
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior Central West
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Michael Schonbuch
(Schonbuch Hallissy LLP)
Edor G. Anderson III
(Raffalow, Bretoi, Lutz & Stele)
Experts
Plaintiff
Jamshid J. Hekmat M.D.
(medical)
Jerry L. Pollak
(technical)
Defendant
Robert A. Nelson
(technical)
Milton E. Ashby
(medical)
Facts
On Dec. 6, 1996, plaintiff Ronnie Jones, a 43-year-old LAPD officer, was on horseback chasing a suspected drug dealer in Hollywood. The suspect entered the driveway of an apartment building owned and managed by defendant John Ehretz. The plaintiff's partner, who was also on horseback, rode his horse into the driveway with the plaintiff following. The partner's horse suddenly stopped 25 feet into the driveway and spun left, striking the plaintiff's horse and causing the horse to step backwards over a 18-inch wall dividing defendant Ehretz's property from the adjacent property, which was owned by defendant Hollywood Housing. A five-foot high wrought-iron fence separated the properties for ten feet, and then abruptly ended. From the end of the wrought-iron fence, the 18-inch wall was the only barrier between the defendants' properties. When the plaintiff's horse stepped over the wall, it fell seven feet to the ground below, with the plaintiff in the saddle. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendant property owners based on premises liability theories of recovery.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made settlement demands for $1 million (policy limits) to each defendant. Defendant Ehretz made a settlement offer of $25,000. Defendant Housing Corp. made a settlement offer of $250,000.
Specials in Evidence
$228,112 $172,759 $973,687 $87,000
Injuries
The plaintiff claimed he sustained a colles fracture to the left wrist with subsequent development of reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the left hand. The plaintiff also claimed he suffered a lis franc fracture to the left foot. The plaintiff underwent five surgeries for the injuries, and claimed future surgery was necessary to fuse some of the bones of the left foot.
Other Information
The verdict was reached approximately one year and seven months after the case was filed. A settlement conference was held on Sept. 29, 1998, and Oct. 7, 1998, before William W. Huss of IVAMS, resulting in the above final offers.
Deliberation
2+ days
Poll
10-2
Length
seven days
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