Confidential
Settlement – $1,000,000Judge
Court
L.A. Superior Long Beach
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Stephen E. Ronk
(Gordon & Rees LLP)
Experts
Plaintiff
Ann T. Vasile
(medical)
Thomas A. Curtis
(medical)
Paul F. Youngdahl
(technical)
James K. Watson
(medical)
Defendant
Mehrdad Haghi
(technical)
Facts
The defendant designed, manufactured and installed two conveyor systems at X Inc., the
plaintiffÆs employer. The conveyor systems utilized chains and sprockets. Employees worked on
both sides of the conveyor belt. The plaintiff, a 56-year-old female, was positioned to work near
the end of the conveyor used for moving boxes of fish products from the conveyor onto a table.
She was doing her job when her right forearm got caught in a 2 1/2-inch gap between the
conveyor frame and the sprocket guard. Her right arm then wrapped around the axle connected
to the sprocket. The plaintiff was trapped in the conveyor system for approximately one hour,
and suffered serious injuries which resulted in the amputation of her right arm below the elbow.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff demanded, and the defendant agreed, $1 million being the policy limits.
Specials in Evidence
$500,000 $12,000 Unknown Unknown
Injuries
Amputation of the right arm below the elbow. The plaintiff had sustained multiple fractures to her right arm, as well as a serious infection. Following several surgeries, the right arm could not be saved.
Other Information
<M>A mediation was held before Judge Enrique Romero.</M>
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