Visitor at automobile museum trip and falls on stairs, says they were in dangerous condition.
The Case
- Case Name: Chaney v. Automobile Driving Museum, et al.
- Court and Case Number: Los Angeles Superior Court / 24TRCV00805
- Date of Verdict or Judgment: Thursday, August 14, 2025
- Date Action was Filed: Thursday, March 07, 2024
- Type of Case: Premises Liability, Trip and Fall
- Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. Tamara Hall
- Plaintiffs:
Nyece Chaney, 55
- Defendants:
Automobile Driving MuseumHistoric Automobile Preservation Entity
- Type of Result: Jury Verdict
The Result
- Gross Verdict or Award: $9,815,558.00
- Contributory/Comparative Negligence: 0% contributory negligence to plaintiff.
- Economic Damages:Past medical: $325,578
- Future medical: $200,000
- Non-Economic Damages:Past: $919,800
- Future: $8,370,180
- Trial or Arbitration Time: 7 days
- Jury Deliberation Time: 1 day
- Jury Polls: 12-0
The Attorneys
- Attorney for the Plaintiff:
Downtown LA Law Group by Edward M. Morgan and Anouk Rondel, Los Angeles
- Attorney for the Defendant:
Law Offices of Bruce Altschuld by Bruce Altschuld, Los Angeles.
The Experts
- Plaintiff’s Medical Expert(s):
Pranay Patel, M.D., orthopedic spine surgery. (Treating physician.)
- Plaintiff's Technical Expert(s):
Brad Avrit, PE, safety engineering.
Facts and Background
- Facts and Background:On June 25, 2022, plaintiff tripped and fell on a set of stairs at The Zimmerman Automobile Museum in El Segundo. As a result of the fall, plaintiff sustained numerous injuries, including a neck injury, for which she required surgery.
- Plaintiff's Contentions:That defendants failed to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition, as the subject stairs were uneven, dangerous, and in violation of the Uniform Building Code.
- Defendant's Contentions:Defendants claimed there was nothing wrong with the stairs; they blamed the fall on the plaintiff, and disputed the cause, nature, and extent of her claimed injuries and medical treatment.
Injuries and Other Damages
- Physical Injuries claimed by Plaintiff:Neck injury, requiring C4/C5 ACDF surgery.
- Future treatment needed: Cervical spine adjacent level fusion (due to adjacent segment disease).
Special Damages
- Special Damages Claimed - Past Medical: $325,578
- Special Damages Claimed - Future Medical: $200,000
Disclaimer
This is not an official court document. While the publisher believes the information to be accurate, the publisher does not guarantee it and the reader is advised not to rely upon it without consulting the official court documents or the attorneys of record in this matter who are listed above.
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