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 Action: Premises Liability
Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. Michael Lavanas
Plaintiffs:
Oliver Turner, 55
Defendants:
Richard Mills
El Camino Investment Company
Mauricio 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

Attorney for the Plaintiff:
Conlogue Law, LLP by Kevin S. Conlogue, Beverly Hills.
Attorney for the Defendant:
Soltman, Levitt, Flaherty & Wattles LLP by John S. Levitt, Thousand Oaks.

The Experts

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.)
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.
Plaintiff's Technical Expert(s):
Mark Burns, liability.
Defendant's Technical Expert(s):
None.

Facts and Background

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.
Plaintiff's Contentions:
That the defendant hotel staff had promised after he complained that the shower head would be fixed the next day.
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

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

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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.