Sharon Jeffrey Wins Defense Verdict for AMC Theatres

Congratulations to Manning & Kass Partner Sharon Jeffrey for winning a defense verdict for her client AMC Theaters in a recent slip and fall case. The Plaintiff accused the theater of negligence after she slipped and fell on a large puddle of water in the restroom. Next to the puddle was a large tipped-over bottle of water, though Plaintiff's witness claimed she believed the toilet was overflowing.

The Plaintiff claimed injuries to multiple areas of her body, and following years of conservative care, ultimately underwent cervical surgery. Plaintiff also claimed she needed some $400,000 in future care, including a second cervical surgery. According to the Plaintiff, her injuries greatly affected the quality of her life and she continued to be in significant pain. In all, Plaintiff sought over $750,000 in past and future medical specials and approximately $2,000,000 in pain and suffering.

The Plaintiff made some costly mistakes in failing to identify or call pertinent witnesses needed to sustain her burden of proof. Taking advantage of these mistakes, Ms. Jeffrey carefully crafted the defense and strategy on People v. Sanchez, (2016) 63 Cal. 4^th, 665 to keep out certain testimony, and highlight Plaintiff's failure to sustain her burden of proof. The trial lasted two weeks and a defense verdict was rendered in just over two hours.

Ms. Jeffrey is a partner at Manning & Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester, LLP's Los Angeles office. She is the leader of the Landlord/Tenant/Habitability Team defending both small private owners as well as large corporate owners and entities. She also represents clients in products, premises, employment, construction defect and business litigation.