Falling ceiling tiles cause head injuries. $8.4M. Los Angeles County.
Summary
Tenant is injured in her townhome bathroom. Liability contested.
The Case
- Case Name: Briggs v. Warner Center Summit
- Court and Case Number: Los Angeles Superior Court / 19STCV22896
- Date of Verdict or Judgment: Monday, March 03, 2025
- Date Action was Filed: Monday, July 01, 2019
- Type of Case: Premises Liability
- Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. Michael R. Amerian
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Plaintiffs: Lakecia Briggs
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Defendants: Warner Center Summit, Ltd.
- Type of Result: Jury Verdict
The Result
- Gross Verdict or Award: $8,492,942
- Contributory/Comparative Negligence: None
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Economic Damages:
Past loss of earnings: $150,000
Future loss of earning capacity: $2,295,442
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Non-Economic Damages:
Past: $2,047,500
Future: $4,000,000
- Trial or Arbitration Time: Approximately one month
- Jury Deliberation Time: Approximately 4 hours
The Attorneys
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Attorney for the Plaintiff:
Wilshire Law Firm by Daniel DeSantis and Casey Kilday, Los Angeles.
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Attorney for the Defendant:
Murchison & Cumming by Scott Hengesbach and Sophie Wagener, Los Angeles.
The Experts
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Plaintiff's Medical Expert(s):
Yuvraj Grewal, M.D., neurology.
Anthony Reading, Ph.D., psychology.
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Defendant's Medical Expert(s):
Barry Ludwig, M.D., neurology.
James High, M.D., psychiatry.
Charles Furst, Ph.D., neuropsychology.
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Plaintiff's Technical Expert(s):
Brad Avrit, safety engineering.
Enrique Vega, vocational rehabilitation.
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Defendant's Technical Expert(s):
Mark Blanchette, biomechanics and safety.
Facts and Background
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Facts and Background:
Plaintiff's drop-ceiling tiles in her townhome bathroom fell on her head, arm, and body. There were six fine fissured-style tiles (2' X 3' each) that fell. Plaintiff was a 45-year-old nurse at the time. Plaintiff's townhome apartment was located at defendant's Summit at Warner Center apartment complex in Woodland Hills.
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Plaintiff's Contentions:
That an air conditioning unit located above the tiles was leaking; that it caused degradation of the materials over time, and coupled with improper construction of the drop-ceiling grid, the tiles fell. Plaintiff had twice complained to management that her air conditioner was not working, but had not experienced any leaking into her unit.
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Defendant's Contentions:
Liability was contested and defendant blamed plaintiff, alleging that she knocked a tile loose with her hair curling iron.
Injuries and Other Damages
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Physical Injuries claimed by Plaintiff:
Tenderness to scalp, closed head injury, concussion, mild traumatic brain injury, shoulder and neck injuries.
Plaintiff had normal head scan results. Her shoulder was treated with arthroscopic surgery.
Demands and Offers
- Plaintiff §998 Demand: $3,000,000 on 8/4/2023.
- Defendant §998 Offer: $1,100,001 on 2/29/2024.
Additional Notes
Lowest plaintiff demand: $2 million.
Highest defense offer: $1.1 million.
Insurers: Farmers underlying ($2M), AIG excess ($25M).