A 32-year-old project manager fell asleep in an aisle seat on a plane trip heading to a job. As the flight attendants pushed the beverage cart down the narrow aisle, the leading edge of the cart slammed into his bent knee. The project manager needed multiple surgeries to repair the damage to his knee. The first trial against the airline resulted in a verdict for the defense, but a new trial was ordered because of the defense attorney's improper remarks to the jury. The case then settled before the second trial began. … [Read more...]

A 55-year-old travel agent was on a cruise she had arranged for herself, family and friends. As she sat down at their assigned table in the dining room, the chair collapsed beneath her. She was thrown to the floor, injuring her neck, back and shoulder. After a claim was made, the case was settled for a payment of money and a voucher for another cruise. … [Read more...]

A 55-year-old receptionist was vacationing with her family at the beach. As she was leaving their rented cottage the first morning there, she stepped onto the landing and fell violently forward. The landing and steps, which had just been built, had several building code violations. The landing was not level with the rooms interior. The landing was also not wide enough. As a result of the fall, the receptionist injured her ankle and the muscles and ligaments in her shoulder. The cottage's insurance company settled the case after extensive negotiations. … [Read more...]

A 44-year-old appliance delivery man injured his back when a wooden deck collapsed from the weight of a refrigerator. A contractor had attached the deck to the house with small metal screws rather than large lag bolts.  A couple that had recently bought the house had ignored a warning about this dangerous condition in a home inspection report.  The case settled after depositions were taken. … [Read more...]

A 36-year-old homemaker was leaving a big-box store with her six-year-old daughter. Although it was raining, there were no mats or rugs in tile entry way. There were also no signs. As she stepped on the tile, she fell on the wet floor, falling to the ground. The homemaker injured her left knee which had recently had surgery. The impact loosened the grafting and screws from her previous surgery, causing her additional problems. She needed repeat knee surgery. The big-box store, which was self-insured, settled the claim after negotiations. … [Read more...]

An 83-year-old woman was a resident of an assisted living facility. While she was using the bathroom, the aide who was supposed to be helping her, stepped out of the room to use a cell phone. The woman, who had suffered a stroke, and was unable to use her left side, fell to the floor. She cracked the vertebrae in her neck, two vertebrae in her lower back and fractured her pelvis. She was hospitalized and then had extensive rehab. The woman died, in part due to the complications from her fall and fractures. A claim was brought to recover damages by her sons. After the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services was reimbursed for a significant … [Read more...]

A 74-year-old retiree had just finished shopping at a discount store and was headed to the checkout. The store employee, who was pushing a re-stocking cart loaded with boxes, came up behind the retiree and crashed into her, knocking her to the floor. The retiree injured her chest, hip and low back. She treated with an orthopedic surgeon and had to use a walker. The discount store eventually settled the claim. … [Read more...]

A 51-year-old woman was shopping at a local discount store. She began to exit the store through a glass door left open by another customer. As she walked through the doorway, the adjacent automatic doors struck her although they were supposed to deactivate when the side door was opened. The woman had a closed head injury and Achilles tendon injury.  After a lawsuit was filed and discovery documents exchanged, the case settled shortly before it was scheduled for a hearing. … [Read more...]

A 45-year-old man and his wife were shopping at a furniture store. When he touched a bed post, the post fell over, striking him violently in the shoulder. His shoulder was badly contused. He had extensive physical therapy. The furniture store?s insurance company later settled the claim. … [Read more...]

A 76-year-old woman was leaving a bed and bath store, walking through the foyer. As she neared the exit, she tripped on some rugs that were stacked in the corner, falling through the open sliding door onto the concrete pavement outside. She hit her head and fractured her hip. The rugs were stacked low and the available walking clearance was less than required under the Americans with Disabilities Act regulations. After the store manager admitted in her deposition that in standard merchandising practice anything stacked under three feet is known to be a tripping hazard, the case settled. … [Read more...]