Hotel shower head pops off and causes injury. $3M. Los Angeles County.
Summary
Shower head pops plaintiff in the eye, causing serious injury. Hotel had been told about the problem shower head.
The Case
- Case Name: Turner v. Wilbur V. Mills dba Re-Tan Hotel, et al.
- Court and Case Number: Los Angeles Superior Court / 20STCV05571
- Date of Verdict or Judgment: Friday, July 22, 2022
- Date Action was Filed: Tuesday, February 11, 2020
- Type of Case: Premises Liability
- Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. Michael Lavanas
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Plaintiffs: Oliver Turner, 55
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Defendants: Richard MillsEl Camino Investment CompanyMauricio Rivas
- Type of Result: Jury Verdict
The Result
- Gross Verdict or Award: $3,053,850
- Contributory/Comparative Negligence: None.
- Trial or Arbitration Time: 10 days
- Jury Deliberation Time: 2 days
The Attorneys
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Attorney for the Plaintiff:
Conlogue Law, LLP by Kevin S. Conlogue, Beverly Hills.
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Attorney for the Defendant:
Soltman, Levitt, Flaherty & Wattles LLP by John S. Levitt, Thousand Oaks.
The Experts
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Plaintiff’s Medical Expert(s):
Farmarz Davidi, M.D., ophthalmology. (Treating physician.)
Yuvraj Grewal, M.D., neurology. (Treating physician.)
Narinder Grewal, M.D., pain management. (Treating physician.)
Greg Khounganian, M.D., orthopedic surgery. (Treating physician.)
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Defendant's Medical Expert(s):
Andrew Woo, M.D., neurology.
Brian D. Rudin, M.D., orthopedic surgery.
Alan L. Shabo, M.D., ophthalmology.
Philip K. Steinquist, Ph.D., neuropsychology.
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Plaintiff's Technical Expert(s):
Mark Burns, liability.
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Defendant's Technical Expert(s):
None.
Facts and Background
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Facts and Background:
On June 12, 2018, plaintiff took a shower at the Re-Tan Hotel in Hollywood and the shower head popped off and hit him in his eye. On the previous day, plaintiff had complained to the front desk that the shower head was spraying water everywhere and needed to be fixed.
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Plaintiff's Contentions:
That the defendant hotel staff had promised after he complained that the shower head would be fixed the next day.
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Defendant's Contentions:
That staff had offered plaintiff a new room, and told him to use the shower down the hall, and not the shower in the room he occupied.
Injuries and Other Damages
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Physical Injuries claimed by Plaintiff:
Right eye ptosis and cataract, mild TBI, and neck injury requiring cervical fusion.
Demands and Offers
- Plaintiff §998 Demand: Separately to each defendant: $200K, $200K, and $100K.
Additional Notes
Insurer: Great Lakes Insurance SE