Stow trial: Future medical costs disputed in court

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Testimony continued Tuesday in the Bryan Stow civil trial against the L.A. Dodgers organization and former owner Frank McCourt. Stow, a San Francisco Giants fan, was severely beaten after the 2011 opening day game in a Dodger Stadium parking lot. Stow is expected to make a final appearance in court on Wednesday.

Stow was in court for jury selection a month ago, then returned home to Northern California, where he suffered a seizure.

According to his father, the 45-year-old Stow was stricken after his caregiver missed giving him his hourly meds.

Stow did not return to the courtroom for any testimony in his lawsuit against the Dodgers. But his attorney says he will be back for final witnesses Wednesday in full view of the jury weighing his fate.

"No matter how this turns out I want him to know that we're fighting for him. I want him to understand the process, and he understands that pretty good," said Tom Girardi, Stow's attorney.

As Stow recovers from the setback, defense experts for the Dodgers tell the jury that Stow's future medical costs could be substantially less than what Stow's lawyers propose.

A forensic economist for the defense estimates future medical care would range between $3.9 million and $5 million.

The plaintiffs say that's a tenth of what Stow will need: $30 million to $34 million.

Countering, defense attorney Dana Fox asks the expert about the cost of daily care.

"Did you intend to cheap out on this?" asked Fox.

"I will tell that when expenses are between $6- and $11-million, that is not inexpensive in any way," said the expert.

A specialist in rehabilitation medicine testified that Stow is at or near a plateau in his recovery and will likely not get much better.

A jury will decide damages if they find the Dodgers are liable.

As for Stow's planned visit to the courtroom, his attorney says it will be only on Wednesday, not during closing arguments.

"To sit through this and for us to talk about how bad he is is too tough on him," said Girardi.

The defense is expected to rest on Wednesday. Final arguments are expected on Thursday.