Representative Cases

An eight-year-old girl who attended a friend’s birthday party in the courtyard of an apartment complex accidentally kicked a can of sterno that was placed on the ground. She sustained serious burns to her legs and pubic area. Her guardian ad litem sued the apartment owner/manager, alleging that he negligently failed to impose and enforce safety rules.

Action by an Uber driver who was hit in a “T-bone” collision when the defendant driver failed to stop at a stop sign. The victim, who allegedly sustained a traumatic brain injury, also sued the city where the accident occurred for failure to maintain a parkway tree that was blocking the sign. The Uber driver’s wife also brought also brought a claim for loss of consortium.

Personal injury action by a wheelchair-bound traveler at LAX who was left alone while her attendant went to retrieve her luggage; the traveler subsequently fell while attempting to stand on her own. Issues included whether the wheelchair services provider was a “common carrier,” and therefore subject to the “utmost care” standard set forth in California Civil Code Section 2100.

Negligence claim by an automobile driver who was rear-ended. Unusual questions were raised as to whether the plaintiff suffered a “nerve-stretch” injury, requiring the implantation of a spinal cord stimulator.

Premises liability action by a personal assistant to a well-known singer who was a judge on “the Voice” television competition. The assistant suffered a complicated ankle fracture while walking down the staircase of a temporary trailer located at the filming site.

Three-car collision at the 91 and 605 freeway transition. Plaintiff allegedly suffered serious back injuries. Issues arose regarding sub rosa surveillance video of the plaintiff. A 402 hearing was necessary to confirm that the surveillance film had not been sped up or otherwise altered.

Personal injury action brought by a man who sustained low back and other injuries when he was leaving a restaurant, and the valet retrieved his car (a restored 1966 Mustang fastback). The valet allegedly failed to correctly set the hand brake, causing the car to roll backwards and injure the plaintiff. The case was tried to a jury, and a verdict was reached. A new trial had to be ordered, because one of the jurors impermissibly shared his own personal opinions and experiences regarding automobile brakes with the other members of the jury.

Numerous other jury and court trials involving automobile accidents and premises liability; with both admitted and disputed liability.