Todd Reber v. Lovejoy Steel - 2003
Plaintiff was
employed at Lovejoy Steel in Portage County as a material
handler and saw operator. As part of his job responsibilities
he was required to work within steel bar bin racks.
As Plaintiff was in the process of moving steel bars
within the racks, a several ton steel bar rolled out
of the rack onto Plaintiff's foot. Plaintiff sustained
a serious crush injury wich led to a complete transmetatarsal
amputation. Suit was filed against Plaintiff's employer,
Lovejoy Steel, based upon their knowledge of a dangerous
condition; knowledge that if an employee was subjected
by his employer to such dangerous condition, harm would
be a substantial certainty, and that Lovejoy Steel,
under such circumstances and with such knowledge, did
act to require Mr. Reber to work within the dangerous
condition
Jury Verdict: $700.000.00 Workplace Injury Premisis Liability
Estate of Gregory K Rhoades v. Summit Tower Services Inc., et al. - 2002
Decedent,Gregory
Rhoades, worked as a tower erector for Defendant Summit
Tower Services. In October 1998, Summit was contracted by
Defendant GPD Services to erect a 180-foot cell tower in
Newton Falls, Ohio. Toward the end of the project, Mr. Rhoades
was working at the top of the tower when he began the process
of rappelling down the tower and suddenly lost control falling
180 feet to his death. Suit was filed against Summit Tower
based upon their knowledge of a dangerous process on their
job site; knowledge that if an employee was subjected by
his employment to such dangerous process, harm would be
a substantial certainty, and that Summit Tower, under such
circumstances and with much knowledge, did act or require
Mr. Rhoades to continue to perform the dangerous process
of rappelling. Suit was also filed against GPD Services
based upon the theory that as a general contractor, GPD
Services actively participated in directing the activity
that resulted in Mr. Rhoades' death.
Settlement: $375,000.00 Premises Liability Wrongful Death Workplace Injury
The Estate of Jane Doe v. ABC Trust - 2000
Plaintiff Jane Doe, deceased, was a 66-year-old retired county worker residing in an apartment complex on Cleveland,'s east side. Ms. Doe was single with no children. A fire broke out in the first floor laundry room of her building in the early morning hours. The fire was determined to be of human origin. There had been at least five previous fires of human origin in the laundry rooms of buildings in this complex, and one in her building. The complex also had a history of vagrants living in apartment laundry rooms. All other tenants escaped, but Ms. Doe was killed in the fire. Plaintiffs alleged the apartment complex was negligent in failing to provide adequate security to protect its residents. Defendant contended this was arson and nothing could be done to prevent the fire.
Settlement at Trial: Confidential. Co-Counsel:
Johnnie Cochran, Esq.Inadequate Security Wrongful Death Premises Liability
Caraballo v. Gannon -1998
Plaintiff
was a tenant in an apartment building owned by defendant
and leased to defendant landlord. She was descending the
stairway when she fell, fracturing her ankle. The stairway
did not have a handrail . Plaintiff alleged that defendants
violated the law by failing to provide a handrail which
would have prevented the fall
Jury Verdict: $25,000.00 (plus prejugement interest) Premises Liability
David Buckley v. Alfalfas Enterprises, Inc. dba Slam Jams, et al. -1997
Plaintiff, a business invitee, was assaulted by 3 to 5 other patrons at the Slam Jams Sports Bar and Grill. Plaintiff claimed the bar maintained inadequate security for the safety of its customers. Defendant contended that they should not be held responsible for the unforeseeable criminal acts of third parties and that Plaintiff contributed to his own injuries. Plaintiff sustained spinal cord injury including Brown Sequard Syndrome. As a result, he experienced atrophy of the right shoulder, arm and loss of dexterity in right hand as well as numbness in his left lower quadrant and a surgical laminectomy of C4-C7.
Settlement: $850,000.00 Premises Liability
Jane Doe v. ABC University - 1997
A
17 year old student was sexually assaulted by a non-student
intruder while practicing voice at her state university
in a conservatory rehearsal room. Plaintiff claimed the
defendant university negligently failed to provide a safe
environment for students and negligently maintained the
locks on both the outside and inside building doors, allowing
the intruder access to the building and this young girl.
The university claimed that adequate security was maintained
and that the building was part of the public institution
and therefore not restricted.
Settlement: ConfidentialPremises Liability Inadequate Security
