How much do you think this fact pattern settles for:
"The St. Regis is a resort facility located in Dana Point and is owned by
CPH Monarch Hotel, LLC (CPH). . . . On September 15, 2007, Epp dived into the shallow end of one the
swimming pools at the St. Regis. Epp, who was intoxicated at the time, seriously injured
his spine and was rendered a quadriplegic. . . .
[Plaintiffs] identified the
following defects as allegedly contributing to their injuries: (1) “[t]he vertical tile depth
markers were partially submerged, making them illegible”; (2) “faded deck top depth
markers”; (3) “[p]oor contrast on the signs containing ‘No Diving’ warning”; (4) “[p]oor
location of signs”; (5) “[l]ack of fence between pools so users were not directed to
entrance near ‘No Diving’ sign”; (6) “[f]ailure of hotel to enforce its rule directing users
to not use pool after alcohol intake”; and (7) use of colored (French gray) plaster for the
swimming pool."
The injuries are, of course, severe. From what the plaintiffs have alleged, does this sound like a strong case or a weak case? A $20 million case? $20,000? Some (particular) number in between?
The case settles for $4.5 million.
Based upon the allegations, that's not the number I would have guessed.
