Injury: Bi-malleolar fracture to left ankle.
Treatment: Surgery with open reduction and internal fixation. Residuals: Continuing ankle pain.

Result: $275,000 (settlement)
Offer: $100,000

Area: Los Angeles County, California
Judge: Scott Wood
Specials:
Medical Costs: $51,000
Loss of Earnings: $18,000

Plaintiff Attorney:
Maro Burunsuzyan Law Offices of Maro Burunsuzyan - Glendale

Defendant Attorney:
Charles G. Whitehead & Stephanie Berman, Berman & Berman - Los Angeles

Plaintiff claimed that Defendant's negligence in properly lighting stairway resulted in Plaintiff's injuries.

Defendant denied the lack of lighting and any defect in the stairway.

Facts: 5/31/98, Plaintiff, a 45-year-old machine operator, had lived at Defendant's apartment building for three months. She fell as she was descending an outside staircase at night. Plaintiff believed to have reached the bottom of the stairs and due to the darkness, she missed the last step and fell. Plaintiff had informed Defendant's on-site manager of the lack of lighting two months prior to her fall but Defendant failed to remedy the problem.

Settlement Date: April 28, 2000