Bryan Stow's doctors testify in Dodgers trial

Thursday, June 12, 2014
Bryan Stow's doctors testify in Dodgers trial
Doctors say San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow's IQ rests at about 75, a figure that borders on mental disability.

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- From active paramedic to permanently disabled, the blow Bryan Stow took to the brain in the Dodger Stadium parking lot impairs his movement, memory, mood and body functions, according to medical experts.

Dr. Jeffrey Schaeffer testified Wednesday that Stow's IQ dropped from 110 to 75, rendering him borderline mentally disabled.

"He will remember your name for about five minutes, and then has no idea that you ever even met him before," Stow's attorney, Tom Girardi said.

Stow can speak but struggles to identify common animals.

With therapy and an array of medication, his capacity will not improve, according to neurologist Dr. Harris Fisk.

In fact, in the next five years, Stow's ability will drop.

"He's already demented. He will prematurely advance," Fisk said.

According to a disability management specialist, the cost for a lifetime of around-the-clock skilled care is as much as $33 million.

Stow's family say they need help. Stow's lawsuit claims that former Dodger owner Frank McCourt is liable for the attack on Stow. They say fans were allowed to run amuck without adequate security.

"Fans don't own the ballpark. McCourt did, and he's the one that has to keep it safe," Girardi said.

Dodger's defense attorney, Dana Fox, says he will present evidence that the security budget on the night of the 2011 attack was unprecedented.

As for damages, Fox elicited that Stow has been showing improvement by clicking on the computer and that he had even been able to walk over 200 feet with crutches.

Fisk testified that Stow would no longer be exercising with crutches. He said it was "too risky," and that falls were the greatest cause of premature death for brain injury victims.

On Thursday, Stow's attorneys will examine stadium security nationwide: how staffing elsewhere compares to what the Dodgers had on board that fateful night in 2011.