Balcony Fall

Settlement: $5,511,000

A marketing manager fell three stories when a balcony guardrail gave way causing paralysis (Catudal v. Fillmore, San Francisco County Superior Court, Plaintiff's attorney: Mary E. Alexander).

Securities Fraud

Verdict: $2,733,800

A Brazilian businessman was allegedly fraudulently induced into making a $2.25 million investment in a Christian faith-based entertainment company (Cinel v. Kirkpatrick, Los Angeles County Superior Court, Plaintiff’s attorney: Robert H. Platt).

Asbestos

Verdict: $6,825,000

An auto mechanic allegedly developed mesothelioma after performing work on Ford vehicles (Scott v. Ford Motor Company, Alameda County Superior Court, Plaintiff's attorney: Justin Bosl).

False Advertising

Decision: $18,200,000

Defendant allegedly failed to adequately disclose that consumers would automatically be enrolled in a continuity program requiring them to cancel to avoid credit card charges. (Federal Trade Commission v. Commerce Planet Inc., Central District Federal Court, Plaintiff’s attorney: David M. Newman).

Prison Surgeon Terminated

Verdict: $3,300,000

A prison surgeon prevailed on breach of contract, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and state constitutional due process claims (Anwar v. State of California, Madera County Superior Court, Plaintiff's attorney: Michael F. Ball).

Mold Infestation

Verdict: $1,272,395

Plaintiffs alleged mold infestation caused constructive eviction and personal injuries related to mold, dust mites, and cockroaches. (Fetzer v. Saferzadeh, Orange County Superior Court, Plaintiff’s attorney: Court B. Purdy).

Police Shooting

Verdict: $8,756,600

Nine L.A. County Sheriff's Department deputies reportedly fired 61 rounds at decedent (Montalvo v. County of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Superior Court, Plaintiff's attorney: John C. Taylor).

Statute of Limitations

Decision: Defense

The court found that this construction defect suit was barred under CCP 337.15 because the pool and other improvements were completed more than 10 years before plaintiffs filed suit (Bowman v. Ahern Construction Corp., Ventura County Superior Court, Defense attorney: Mark Koorenny).

Trade Secrets Claim

Verdict: Defense

Plaintiff claimed that its former vice president improperly approached plaintiff's customers and intentionally used plaintiff's confidential and proprietary information (Angelica Textile Services Inc. v. Park, San Diego County Superior Court, Defense attorney: Michael A. Attanasio).

Disability Discrimination

Settlement: $1,250,000

A criminal court bailiff alleged that defendant placed her on patrol duties in violation of her doctor's orders causing her to become totally disabled (Bollinger v. County of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Superior Court, Plaintiff’s attorney: Arash Homampour).

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.