A 42-year-old commercial painter slipped and fell to the ground when a gas station owner spilled gasoline and then left the area unguarded while he went to find some rags to clean up his mess. The man tore the rotator cuff in his shoulder and needed surgery. He missed almost five months of work. The case settled on the eve of trial. … [Read more...]

A 53-year-old psychologist was walking in a parking lot, about to enter a newly-opened store. The edge of the sidewalk on one side of a curb cut was painted yellow, but the edge on the other side was not. She failed to see the unpainted curb, tripping and falling to the ground. She broke a tooth, which had to be pulled and replaced. She also had a scar and a concussion. The store owner was sued. After depositions were taken, the case was settled without a trial. … [Read more...]

A 72-year-old retired state store employee walked into a local beer market to buy some lottery tickets. He had polio in one leg that he developed as a child. As he turned to leave, a throw rug slipped under his foot, causing him to crash to the floor. The rug was not safely secured, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The man suffered torn rotator cuffs of both shoulders requiring two surgeries. The case settled satisfactorily just before opening statements to the jury. … [Read more...]

A 21-year-old college senior slipped and fell on a patch of ice in the parking lot of her apartment. This particular patch of ice had been there for some time and had formed hills and ridges. The weather report also confirmed that it hadn't snowed for several days. The college senior badly fractured her leg, requiring orthopedic surgery with screws and a rod implanted. A lawsuit was filed against the apartment complex in a conservative jurisdiction. After the pre-trial exchange of information, the case settled for a favorable sum. … [Read more...]

A 50-year-old bridge painter was in a large retail super store purchasing lumber to build a deck at home. A store employee who was helping the painter lift a large post from a high shelf dropped his end. The other end struck the painter's shoulder and knocked him to the ground. The painter had two rotator cuff tears requiring surgery. He was eventually able to return to work with some difficulty. The super store initially denied all liability. The case settled shortly before trial for a substantial sum. … [Read more...]

A 23-year-old restaurant manager was leaving a movie theater when he tripped and fell on rubber matting which was not flush with the floor, creating a raised edge. He had a closed head injury and a cut above his right eye. Headaches made it difficult for him to concentrate at work. The movie theater settled the case before a lawsuit was filed. … [Read more...]

A 75-year-old retired chief of police was taking a fishing trip. As he began to get off the boat, it was well below the adjacent dock. The fishing outfitter neglected to provide a step or other assistance. The man fell back into the boat, breaking his leg and ankle. The case settled after negotiations. … [Read more...]

A 73-year-old retired millworker drove with his wife to a local McDonalds for breakfast. The entire parking lot was icy, but he was able to make it safely into the restaurant. Upon leaving, he slipped and fell on some ice, striking the back of his head. He needed six staples to close the wound and continued to have neurological problems. The franchise which owned this particular McDonalds was sued. After multiple depositions were taken, the case settled. … [Read more...]

A 39-year-old dentist was leaving his office when he slipped and fell on ice in the parking lot. The building owner had neglected to provide gutters for rain water, which fell and froze and was then covered by a thin layer of snow. The dentist broke several fingers in his hand, making it difficult for him to do his job. After a lawsuit was filed and discovery taken, the case settled. … [Read more...]

A 21-year-old graduate student rented a room in a large house. As she was walking down the basement steps, she tripped on a pair of boots left there by the landlord. She fell down the steps, breaking bones in her foot. A Board of Arbitrators awarded her money for her injuries. … [Read more...]