Death in childbirth

Settlement: $4,500,000

The family of a mother of three alleged that negligence resulted in the death of the woman during childbirth (Freedman v. Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles County Superior Court, Plaintiff’s attorney: Philip Michels).

Fingers amputated

Verdict: Defense

A man who lost several fingers while using a Craftsman saw brought a product liability suit against the manufacturer and the supplier (Robertson v. Sears, Roebuck and Co., Northern District Federal Court, Defense attorney: Kenneth B. Grossfeld).

Carousel accident

Settlement: $450,000

A mother and her two sons were injured on a carousel ride at a county fair when a scenery panel detached and struck them (Hawawini v. Butler Amusements Inc., Santa Clara County Superior Court, Plaintiff’s attorney: William C. Callaham).

Rear-ender

Settlement: $650,000

An 89-year-old driver sustained multiple fractures when her vehicle was rear-ended and propelled over a curb into a tree (Tryon v. Evans, Alameda County Superior Court, Plaintiff’s attorney: Daniel Dell’Osso).

Legal malpractice

Settlement: $1,000,000

A law firm was sued for failure to timely file a medical malpractice claim for a woman who allegedly sustained severe brain damage as a result of negligent medical care (Roberts v. Wise, Pearce, Yocis & Smith PC, Los Angeles County Superior Court, Plaintiff’s attorney: Sean M. Burke).

Rollover fatality

Settlement: $500,000

The stepdaughters of a man killed in a vehicle rollover filed a wrongful death action against the truck’s manufacturer (Confidential v. Confidential, Central District Federal Court, Plaintiff’s attorney: Abram Charles Zukor).

Retaliation

Verdict: $1,182,500

A union steward for the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners claimed she was driven out of her job for exposing improprieties in licensing procedures (Arbuckle v. California Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Sacramento County Superior Court, Plaintiff’s attorney: Daniel A. Horowitz).

Head injury

Settlement: $400,000

A minor boy who was using an axe with a rope around a tree to help lift a trailer and truck was struck on the head and face by the axe (In re M.H., San Diego County Superior Court, Plaintiff’s attorney: Barry Pasternack).

Plastic surgery death

Verdict: Defense

Negligence was alleged against a surgeon who performed extensive plastic surgery on a patient who subsequently died from severe anemia and septic shock (Goodman v. Hardesty, Riverside County Superior Court, Defense attorney: Robert K. Warford).

Escalator injury

Settlement: $900,000

A boy was riding on an escalator in the North Hollywood Metrorail Station when he fell and sliced his hand on a very sharp part of the step (Oropeza v. Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA Inc., Los Angeles County Superior Court, Plaintiff’s attorney: Arthur Paul Berg).

Rear-ender

Verdict: $1,725,000

A motorist recovered for neck injuries incurred in a rear-end vehicle accident (Gustave v. Colmenares, Orange County Superior Court, Plaintiff’s attorney: Christopher E. Purcell).

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.