Elder Abuse

Verdict: $238,341

Elderly care home resident claimed negligence after developing stage IV bedsore (Deckard v. Araville Residential Care Home, San Mateo County Superior Court, Plaintiff attorney: Kathryn A. Stebner).

Alleged Contraindication

Verdict: Defense

ALS patient's family alleged that an anti-anxiety medication was contraindictated, but failed to prove doctor's negligence caused the patient's death  (Woerner v. Hay, Los Angeles County Superior Court, Defense attorney: Yuk K. Law).

Pregnancy Discrimination

Verdict: $150,000

Private golf club allegedly fired restaurant server to avoid accommodating her need for pregnancy leave – jury awarded $0 in special/general damages, but $150,000 in punitive  damages (Moore v. JMK Golf LLC, San Benito County Superior Court, Plaintiff attorney: William L. Marder).

Eggshell Plaintiff

Settlement: $400,000

Purported eggshell plaintiff allegedly suffered back injuries in sideswipe collision (Drennan v. Confidential, Santa Barbara County Superior Court, Plaintiff attorney: Otto L. Haselhoff).

Jaw Osteonecrosis

Verdict: $2,162,000

Cancer patient claimed products liability after allegedly developing osteonecrosis of the jaw from cancer medication  (Georges v. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., Central District Federal Court, Plaintiff attorney: John A. Girardi).

Artwork Accident

Settlement: $2,050,000

Artwork fell onto a fast food customer allegedly causing lumbar disk protrusions and denervation (Rubalcaba De Reynoso v. Confidential, Los Angeles County Superior Court, Plaintiff attorney: Wayne McClean).

Starbucks Fall

Verdict: $500,000

Plaintiff allegedly slipped and fell on mopped floor at Starbucks causing a bimalleolar ankle fracture (Lyles v. Starbucks Corporation, San Diego County Superior Court, Plaintiff attorney: John H. Gomez).

Insurance Bad Faith

Verdict: $2,730,010

Insurer attempted to rescind policy following a house fire and allegedly falsely claimed plaintiffs did not live in the home but used it as a halfway house for persons released from prison and/or in a substance abuse rehabilitation program (Douglas v. Fidelity National Insurance Company, Alameda County Superior Court, Plaintiff attorney: J. Edward Kerley).

Birth Injury

Settlement: $9,975,000

Family alleged that an obstetrician, perinatologist and hospital staff negligently delayed the delivery of a newborn in distress causing hypoxic ischemic brain injury, cerebral palsy and numerous other severe injuries, (Confidential v. Confidential, Confidential Venue, Plaintiff attorney: Kenneth M. Sigelman).

Disability Discrimination

Settlement: $100,500

Demoted McDonald's manager claimed disability discrimination due to his mental impairments  (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Alia Corporation, Eastern District Federal Court, Plaintiff attorney: Anna Y. Park).

Editor’s Note: California Bar Journal publishes this abbreviated summary of important trials in California provided by Trials Digest. To report your case results, go to west.thomson.com/trialsdigest/form.aspx or call 415-344-3952.