People in California expect to face certain hazards as they go about their daily lives. However, the hazards created when a building that does not meet certain building codes can lead to unexpected slip-and-fall accidents. Unfortunately, one man in another state who was injured as he exited a building had to turn to litigation to receive proper compensation after he suffered a serious injury in a fall.
The fall happened in May 2016. The man claims he was exiting Covino’s Groceria Italiana — a business that has since closed — when he fell and struck his head. He reportedly suffered a subdural hematoma — a brain bleed — in the fall. His injuries resulted in a two-week hospitalization followed by eight days at a rehabilitation facility; he underwent two brain surgeries and claims he can no longer take blood thinners because of his brain injury, which increases his risk of health problems.
A representative for the now 88-year-old man claims that the building owner failed to meet fire and building codes by providing a handrail or ramp. Following four days of testimony, a jury deliberated for under an hour before ruling that the owner of the building, P & H Enterprises LLC, was largely responsible for the man’s injuries and awarded him $244,544. Reports indicate that the owner has yet to bring the building up to code.
Unfortunately, slip-and-fall accidents can have long-term consequences. Many victims in California suffer financially as they struggle with medical bills stemming from such a fall. In some cases, victims may not be able to ever fully recover. As a result, some choose to file a personal injury lawsuit against the parties deemed responsible, such as the owner of the property.
Source: theday.com, “Elderly man awarded more than $244,000 for Niantic slip and fall“, Karen Florin, Jan. 29, 2018
