Top 10 Slip-And-Fall Lawsuit Settlements and Why They Were So Large

Slip-and-fall accidents have the potential to be life-changing because they can result in serious and long-term injuries that require expensive medical care. Depending on the extent of the injury suffered, an individual may need months or years of rehabilitation services. As such, some of the largest slip-and-fall settlements have been from extensive and life-changing injuries.

1. $18 Million for a Fall Into a Manhole in Pennsylvania

In 2004, a University of Pennsylvania medical student fell into an uncovered manhole and sustained a broken back and spinal injuries. Initially, the jury awarded $85 million, but the parties agreed to cap the settlement.

2. $18 Million for a Fall From a Defective Scaffolding in New York

A construction worker in New Rochelle, NY, took a serious fall from a defective scaffolding, injuring his back, neck, ribs, leg, and foot. The jury awarded him $18 million, and his wife received $3 million for loss of consortium. 

Hurt in a slip-and-fall accident? You deserve compensation. Contact our team for a free case evaluation to see what your case may be worth.

3. $15 Million for a Fall at a Medical Clinic in Georgia

A truck driver in Georgia went to a clinic to have blood drawn for some tests. The clinic employee instructed him to sit on an exam table while drawing his blood. The victim passed out, falling forward and breaking his neck.

The victim’s injuries left him paralyzed. The victim was awarded $12 million for his injuries and suffering, while his wife was awarded $3 million.

4. $13 Million for Injuries at a Lowe’s Home Center in Las Vegas, Nevada

A woman was shopping at a Lowe’s Home Center in Las Vegas when she slipped on a wet substance in the gardening department of the store. After her preventable accident, the victim faced:

• A skull fracture
• Brain hemorrhage
• Chronic headaches and neck pain
• Anxiety and depression

The $13 million slip-and-fall lawsuit payout reflects the victim’s damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and physical and mental pain and suffering.

5. $12.2 Million for a Convenience Store Fall in Virginia

At a Miller Mart gas station convenience store, a woman slipped and suffered severe injuries. She fell forward, and her head snapped back, leading to a brain injury and ongoing seizures.

The victim recovered $12.2 million for her damages, including lost wages and lost earning capacity.

Get the compensation you deserve after an accident. Contact the slip-and-fall lawyers at Adam S. Kutner, Injury Attorneys, for a free consultation.

6. $11.1 Million for a Fall From a Defective Ladder in Illinois

John Baugh fell off a defective ladder in 2006 and sustained brain damage. He was using the ladder to reach the gutters on his home when a rail on the side of the ladder collapsed, causing him to land on his cement driveway.

The ladder manufacturer, Capcrum S.A., was found negligent after Mr. Baugh and his lawyer appealed an initial verdict in Cupcrum’s favor in 2011. The new trial resulted in a federal jury awarding $11.1 million to Mr. Baugh.

7. $10 Million for a Fall at Walmart in Colorado

Another significant slip-and-fall claim happened after a woman slipped on a grease spill in a Colorado Walmart. Evidence showed there was grease on the floor.

Although the victim was actually awarded $15 million, Colorado state law limited the pain and suffering damages to $366,250. The total payout to the Walmart slip-and-fall victim was just over $10 million.

8. $10 Million for a Fall on Ice at a Construction Site in Pennsylvania

Michael Little, a carpentry foreman, was working at a construction site at One Water Street in Philadelphia when he slipped and fell on ice in one of the building’s hallways in 2016. He underwent five surgeries, is permanently disabled, and suffers from ongoing chronic pain. He and his attorneys were able to negotiate a $10 million settlement.

9. $7.5 Million for a Fall at a Walmart in Arizona

Walmart makes the list again for awarding an Alabama man $7.5 million after he fell in their store and broke his hip. While reaching for a watermelon in the produce section of the local Walmart, the victim became stuck in a wooden pallet used to move groceries.

Working with a premises liability attorney helped the victim recover from his damages, including $2.5 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages.

10. $7.5 Million for Injuries at a Starbucks in California

Anthony Zaccaglin slipped and fell inside a Starbucks as he went to pick up his order at the counter. The floor had been recently mopped, and only one warning cone had been put out. A jury awarded him $7.5 million for his injuries and pain and suffering.

What Is the Average Slip-and-Fall Settlement Amount?

The value of a slip-and-fall claim depends on the losses the victim suffered. Nevada law gives victims the right to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. 

Economic losses entail the monetary costs of the injury. Non-economic losses represent the intangible ways you suffer after a slip and fall.

What Factors Determine the Size of a Slip-and-Fall Settlement?

Several factors go into the size of slip-and-fall lawsuit settlement amounts, including the severity of your injuries. More severe injuries usually cost more to treat.

Your inability to perform your job duties might require you to stay home from work or miss work for physical therapy appointments. If you suffer permanent disabilities, you may need long-term care. You may also need to make modifications to your home to accommodate your disabilities.

Are Slip-And-Fall Cases Hard To Win?

Since the slip and fall happened on someone else’s premises, you might not have access to all the evidence you need to prove negligence and liability. A lawyer can notify the premises owner or manager to preserve any evidence, including a security video showing what happened.

Another difficulty you may face is proving negligence. Negligence means the premises owner or manager failed to exercise reasonable care in addressing hazardous conditions on the property. Often, this analysis comes down to showing what they knew and when they knew it.

If the person or business responsible for the property knew about the hazardous condition or failed to patrol their premises to find dangerous conditions, they may be liable for any injuries that result. 

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Slip-and-Fall Lawsuit?

In many cases, the time to settle a slip-and-fall accident lawsuit depends on the other party’s insurer. If they are willing to settle the case, your attorney can often negotiate fair terms without filing a lawsuit. However, if the other side disagrees about liability or the value of your losses, you may need to file a lawsuit.

Who Pays Damages in Slip-and-Fall Cases?

Most property owners have business property insurance, homeowner’s insurance, or renter’s insurance. These policies cover any liabilities that arise from slip-and-fall cases.

When an insurer persists in denials, your lawyer can file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.

Contact Adam S. Kutner, Las Vegas’ Premier Slip-And-Fall Accident Lawyer

When you have been injured in a slip-and-fall accident in Las Vegas, count on the experienced lawyers at Adam S. Kutner, Injury Attorneys. 

Sources:

Dean, M. (2019). Carpentry Foreman Wins $10M Settlement of Lawsuit Over Injuries at Old City Construction Site.
Fender, J. (2016). Colorado Supreme Court Says $15 Million Award to Trucker Who Fell at Wal-Mart Should Stand.
Hrynkiw, I. (2017). Phenix City Man Sues Walmart After Fall, Awarded $7.5 Million.
Laux, K. (2016). Las Vegas Women Awarded About $13 Million in Lawsuit Against Lowe’s.
Man Gets $18 Million for Manhole Fall. (2008).
Manson, P. (2015). Ladder Injury Nets $11.1M in Federal Court.
Picard, C. (2016). Man Left Paralyzed After Routine Doctor’s Visit.
Woman Awarded $12.2 Million in Slip-and-Fall Case. (2007).
Young, J., et al. (2011). Cup of Woe: Starbucks Ordered to Pay $7.5M.
Nevada Revised Statutes section 41.141.