Partner
Benson Y. L. Chan
Mr. Chan joined Hanger, Steinberg, Shapiro & Ash in January 2007, and was elevated to Member in January 2016.
Mr. Chan was second chair in a personal injury matter arising out of rear-end car accident with admitted liability. Plaintiff alleged catastrophic injuries consisting of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, and sought $52 million dollars at Trial. After a 3-week Trial, jury returned verdict of approximately $835,000.00 – an amount less than the final settlement offer made during the course of Trial.
Mr. Chan represented the homeowner in a premises liability action arising out of injuries sustained by plaintiff when she attempted to jump off the roof of client’s house into a backyard pool. Plaintiff alleged homeowner was negligent in management of property. Mr. Chan successfully obtained summary judgment on behalf of the homeowner.
Mr. Chan was one of the primary handling attorneys and second chair in a long cause arbitration matter representing general contractor in multi-party complex construction defect action involving construction of multi-level retail store. Owner alleged severe water intrusion and mechanical failures. During the course of discovery, Mr. Chan conducted in excess of 50 depositions, including party-affiliated deponents, as well as expert witnesses concerning a wide range of design, construction, standard of care, and technical issues. After approximately 20 days of arbitration testimony, the matter was successfully resolved.
Mr. Chan was one of the primary handling attorneys representing the general contractor and a public entity in a complex multi-party wrongful death action involving issues concerning roadway construction and dangerous condition of public property, with potential exposure well into the eight-figure range. Mr. Chan was the primary day-to-day handling attorney throughout the litigation process, including discovery, depositions, motion practice, and trial preparation. After numerous settlement efforts, the matter was successfully resolved.
Mr. Chan is currently handling numerous products liability actions arising out of electronic cigarette explosions, involving issues as to design and manufacturing of electronic cigarette related products, battery safety and failures, as well as wide variety of alleged injuries including dental injuries, severe burns, and psychiatric/psychological sequelae.
Born in Hong Kong, prior to attending UCLA, Mr. Chan lived in Hong Kong; Vancouver, Canada; and, the United Kingdom. During law school, Mr. Chan was an intern for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Hate Crimes Unit. He was also an extern for the Hon. Lawrence Mira, of the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
He is fluent in spoken Cantonese.
Education
PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor, 2006
PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY STRAUS INSTITUTE FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Certificate of Dispute Resolution, 2006
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
1999
Bar Admissions
• State Bar of California, admitted 2006