Kyla A. Crooks v. Family Living Child Care Center

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Severe burns to child result in scarring

Settlement: $653,021

PERSONAL INJURY: $653,021 Settlement

Case name: Kyla A. Crooks v. Family Living Child Care Center

Case number: 08-CV-607

Court: Brown County Circuit Court

Judge: John D. McKay, mediator

Settlement amount: $653,021

Special damages: Plaintiff’s past medical expenses: $76,333; plaintiff’s past wage loss: Mother: $2,450

Date of incident: July 26, 2007

Plaintiff’s attorneys: Ralph J. Tease, Jr., Habush Habush & Rottier SC

Defendant’s attorneys: Joseph J. Beisenstein, Menn Law Firm, Ltd.

Insurance carrier: West Bend Mutual Insurance Company; Liability Policy Limits: $1 million underlying liability and $1 million umbrella

Injuries claimed: Severe burns to 20 percent of her body; permanent scarring to Kyla’s left face, left neck, left shoulder/trunk and back.

Verdict & Settlement: Settlement for plaintiff

Disposition date: Nov. 16, 2009

Plaintiffs expert witnesses: John N. Jensen, M.D., Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; Andrea L. Winthrop, M.D., Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; Brad Grunert, Ph.D., Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Plaintiff counsel’s summary of the facts: This accident occurred on Thursday, July 26, 2007 at the Family Living Childcare Center on Cormier Road in the city of Green Bay. During snack time Kyla Crooks was put into a highchair next to a crockpot of water, which was used for warming bottles. Kyla pulled the electric cord on the the crockpot causing it to spill on her.