As costumer leaves stage, she falls into an unguarded hole. $1.7M. Los Angeles County.
Summary
Production employee falls into an unguarded opening in the floor, says studio is negligent.
The Case
- Case Name: Jill Stager v. Paramount Pictures Corporation
- Court and Case Number: Los Angeles Superior Court / 22STCV07338
- Date of Verdict or Judgment: Monday, August 19, 2024
- Date Action was Filed: Tuesday, March 01, 2022
- Type of Case: Highlighted Verdicts, Premises Liability
- Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. Karen Moskowitz
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Plaintiffs: Jill Stager, 57, costumer
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Defendants: Paramount Pictures Corporation
- Type of Result: Jury Verdict
The Result
- Gross Verdict or Award: $1,735,074.21
- Net Verdict or Award: $1,719,092.17
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Award as to each Defendant:
Full verdict against Paramount Pictures Corporation.
- Contributory/Comparative Negligence: None.
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Economic Damages:
$1,119,092.17 ($15,982.04 not disputed added post-verdict)
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Non-Economic Damages:
$600,000
- Trial or Arbitration Time: 11 days
- Jury Deliberation Time: 3 1/2 hours
- Jury Polls: 10-2 on liability and damages.
- Post Trial Motions & Post-Verdict Settlements: None yet.
The Attorneys
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Attorney for the Plaintiff:
Krissman & Silver LLP by Jarod Krissman and Ian Deady, Long Beach.
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Attorney for the Defendant:
Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP by Larry Lum and Ashan Peiris, New York City and Los Angeles.
The Experts
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Plaintiff’s Medical Expert(s):
Jonathan Falakassa, M.D., orthopedic surgery.
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Defendant's Medical Expert(s):
Douglas Gula, DO, orthopedic surgery.
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Plaintiff's Technical Expert(s):
Tim Lanning, economics.
Joanne Latham, vocational rehabilitation and life-care planning.
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Defendant's Technical Expert(s):
Steve Molina, vocational rehabilitation.
Facts and Background
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Facts and Background:
Plaintiff was a costumer for the TV production "This is Us." The production was filming on Stage 3 at Paramount Studios. While the production was filming a night scene with the house lights off, plaintiff sought to exit the stage. She walked through a doorway that led to an unguarded and uncovered floor opening and fell into it.
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Plaintiff's Contentions:
That defendant had control over the accident location and was negligent in the use and maintenance of its stage and connecting utility closet.
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Defendant's Contentions:
That Paramount had no control over the accident location and that plaintiff caused her own injuries.
Injuries and Other Damages
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Physical Injuries claimed by Plaintiff:
Fractured sacrum and three broken ribs. While plaintiff did not need surgery, she was left with chronic lower-back pain.
Special Damages
- Special Damages Claimed - Past Medical: $15,982.04
- Special Damages Claimed - Future Medical: $ 110,335.00
- Special Damages Claimed - Past Lost Earnings: $ 233,498.00
- Special Damages Claimed - Future Lost Earnings: $ 775,259.17
Demands and Offers
- Plaintiff §998 Demand: On September 5, 2023: $1,350,000
- Defendant §998 Offer: On September 6, 2023: $500,000
Additional Notes
Per defense counsel:
There is an appeal issue based on judicial error in directing the jury that they could find Paramount liable even without a specific finding of control over the accident location, which was a specific question raised by the jury based on a discrepancy between the jury instruction and the first question on the verdict sheet.