Confidential
Settlement – $667,000Court
L.A. Superior Central
Attorneys
Plaintiff
C. Michael Alder
(AlderLaw PC)
Defendant
Dale A. Amato
(Berger Kahn)
Michael J. Zuckerman
(Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney)
Experts
Plaintiff
Frederic G. Nicola M.D.
(medical)
Stephen I. Rosen
(technical)
Gerald M. Halweg
(technical)
Lawrence Miller M.D.
(medical)
Defendant
Mack A. Quan
(technical)
Arthur P. Kowell M.D., Ph.D.
(medical)
Facts
The plaintiff was walking to lunch when he slipped and fell on a granite tile sloping handicap ramp in front of an
office building. The plaintiff contended that the tiles in the handicapped area were removed and replaced
without permits, and that the replacement tiles were slippery and not properly secured on the ramp, that the
ramp was excessively sloped and that the ramp area was poorly designed.
The defendants contended that the tiles were not slippery and the defendant owners and management company
stated that they relied upon their contractor to select and install the tiles. They also contended that testing
before and after the slip and fall proved that the tiles were not slippery.
Settlement Discussions
At a voluntary mediation before Judge Russell Bostrum at Judicate West, the defendants in the aggregate offered $200,000. The plaintiff later settled with the defendant, owners and management company individually and the contractor on the day of the trial for a total of $667,000.
Specials in Evidence
$125,000 $60,000 Unknown
Injuries
The plaintiff suffered a spiral fracture of his leg which required metal support pins. He also developed a chronic RSD syndrome which required pain management including nerve blocks.
Other Information
The workerÆs compensation waived medical lien and agreed to reduce their statutory credit for future disability by 50 percent.
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