Jury Trials

Examples of Past Cases

Box v. Lawyer

At Universal Studios, Suzanne Box accompanied her seven-year old son on “ Jurassic Park --The Ride.” The person seated next to her was heavier than either she or her son, so when the ride attendant lowered the restraint to secure the riders, there was considerable room between her son and the bar.

When the ride proceeded to its thrilling climax -- an 84-ft. drop down a 50-degree slide into a pool of water -- Ms. Box feared for her son’s safety, so she turned to prevent him from falling out, and as the boat splashed down, Suzanne felt a severe jolt of pain.

The injury that Suzanne received required surgery and left her with unresolved chronic shoulder pain. She retained an attorney, but he failed to file her claim within the statute of limitations. Suzanne was referred to Stuart Law Firm.

To prevail before a jury on Suzanne’s behalf, Stuart Law Firm would have to obtain a jury award for a defect in the design and operation of a fixed amusement park ride. This was something no attorney in California had ever achieved. Based upon the evidence and arguments that Antony Stuart presented at trial, however, the jury returned a verdict of $1,305,910.

Lopez v. Maged Abu-Assal

Neurosurgeon Maged Abu-Assal, M.D. recommended that his patient, Sandra Lopez, undergo surgery to remove a spinal tumor. Sandra agreed. As a result of the surgery, Sandra was paralyzed.

According to Sandra, Dr. Abu-Assal had not advised her of the serious risk of paralysis that this surgery presented. If she had been so advised, she stated, she never would have consented to it. B efore the surgery, she said, she could walk, exercise, and function as a normal person .

Dr. Abu-Assal contended, on the other hand, that he did advise Sandra and her husband of all risks of the surgery. He also claimed that when he recommended the surgery, Sandra was walking spastically, had abnormal lower extremity reflexes, increased muscle tone, and other abnormal signs.

The case went to trial. Medical malpractice cases are notoriously difficult to win, especially where they involve swearing matches between the doctor and the patient. Based upon the evidence and argument that Antony Stuart presented to the jury, however, it awarded Sandra a verdict in the amount of $1,545,440.

Orejel v. City of El Segundo

At a birthday party, Michael Orejel fell eighteen feetfrom a second-story balcony to the ground. Paramedics summoned to the scene refused to take Michael to a hospital despite the concerns of one of the party guests, who was a former paramedic.

Michael Orejel awoke the next morning paralyzed from the chest down.

With expert medical testimony, Antony Stuart showed that immediate medical attention would have prevented Michael's permanent injury.  After five years of litigation, the case was settled out of court for $3.5 million.

Ramirez v. Good Samaritan Hospital

When Carlos Ramirez was admitted to Good Samaritan Hospital for emergency surgery, the hospital inserted a line into one of his main arteries.

In the morning, Carlos awoke from surgery with severe pain in his lower right leg. He alerted his wife and aunt, who were near him. They saw that his leg was severely swollen and discolored. They asked the nurse repeatedly to do something, but she wouldn’t.

No one but the nurse saw Carlos until 6:30 p.m., when Carlos’s cardiac surgeon discovered the situation. The surgeon arranged for the immediate removal of the line, but the damage was done. Much of the muscle and nerve tissue in Carlos’s leg had been destroyed, and it had to be removed. Carlos was left with a disfigured leg, and he was disabled.

Based upon evidence and argument that Antony Stuart presented over the course of a three-week trial, the jury awarded Mr. Ramirez $1,900,000. This amount was reduced to $1,485,000, however, due to a legislative cap on awards for medical malpractice known as MICRA.

Scott & Johnston v. Whittiker Corporation

Two business executives were promised substantial bonuses to launch the Whittiker Corporation's fledgling HMO, and to make it a profitable venture. Then the defendant decided to sell the HMO, promising the executives a different bonus if they would assist with the sale. After the company was sold, however, the defendant reneged on its promise to award the executives their bonuses.

Antony Stuart proved the defendant was unjustified in denying the bonuses, and a jury awarded the plaintiffs $1.5 million.