Man who lost half his skull is awarded $58million compensation
Published: 2013 July 02 13:52:36 (5309 Views)
A painter and decorator who lost half his skull after being beaten unconscious in a Los Angeles pub brawl has been awarded $58million (£38.2million) in compensation.
Antonio Lopez Chaj suffered severe brain damage in the attack and can no longer speak, a court heard.
The 43-year-old was beaten up by an unlicensed bouncer as he tried to stop a fight between his drinking pals and a bartender.
The security guard beat Mr Chaj with a baton, kicked him in the head eight times and hurt his skull against the pavement four times.
His successful damages claim – awarded by a Torrance superior court jury last week – is one of the biggest ever payouts awarded in California, his lawyers said yesterday.
Mr Chaj had to be physically supported by relatives at a news conference where details of the compensation award were revealed.
As he took off a baseball cap that was hiding his injuries, gasps were heard from the journalists present.
'His (Mr Chaj's) skull is like a pie with 25 per cent cut out of it,' said lawyer Frederico Sayre, who represented Mr Chaj along with Fernando Chavez, son of the famed US civil rights leader Cesar Chavez.
The bouncer and bartender, who sparked the attack in April 2010, have disappeared without a trace, said the attorney.
Mr Chaj faces more surgery, the court heard.
A jury found unanimously for the plaintiff and awarded him the massive payout to help him meet medical costs and receive round-the-clock care he will need for the rest of his life.
But Mr Sayre said he expects the security firm to appeal the ruling and revealed it may request settlement negotiations before Mr Chaj receives any compensation.
- Metro
Antonio Lopez Chaj suffered severe brain damage in the attack and can no longer speak, a court heard.
The 43-year-old was beaten up by an unlicensed bouncer as he tried to stop a fight between his drinking pals and a bartender.
The security guard beat Mr Chaj with a baton, kicked him in the head eight times and hurt his skull against the pavement four times.
His successful damages claim – awarded by a Torrance superior court jury last week – is one of the biggest ever payouts awarded in California, his lawyers said yesterday.
Mr Chaj had to be physically supported by relatives at a news conference where details of the compensation award were revealed.
As he took off a baseball cap that was hiding his injuries, gasps were heard from the journalists present.
'His (Mr Chaj's) skull is like a pie with 25 per cent cut out of it,' said lawyer Frederico Sayre, who represented Mr Chaj along with Fernando Chavez, son of the famed US civil rights leader Cesar Chavez.
The bouncer and bartender, who sparked the attack in April 2010, have disappeared without a trace, said the attorney.
Mr Chaj faces more surgery, the court heard.
A jury found unanimously for the plaintiff and awarded him the massive payout to help him meet medical costs and receive round-the-clock care he will need for the rest of his life.
But Mr Sayre said he expects the security firm to appeal the ruling and revealed it may request settlement negotiations before Mr Chaj receives any compensation.
- Metro
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