Persistence Pays: Winning a $533,000 Verdict for a Slip-and-Fall Client Against All Odds
In this case, our client had slipped and fell on motor oil at a general store. Our client was declared totally disabled in 2015, but we argued that her fall made it worse. By contrast, the Defendant denied that the fall happened because they could not find video footage of it. Since our last pretrial offer we received was $20,000.00, we rigorously tried this case in Jefferson County Circuit Court and won a significant jury verdict.
Challenges
- The primary challenge was proving liability since the defendant claimed the fall never happened due to the absence of video footage.
- Establishing a causal link between the fall and the worsening of the client’s pre-existing disability, as the client had already been declared totally disabled in 2015.
- Overcoming the defendant’s refusal to offer a reasonable settlement, with their last pretrial offer being only $20,000.
Solution
- Conducted a thorough investigation and gathered substantial evidence to demonstrate that the fall occurred and aggravated the client’s condition.
- Worked with medical experts to establish and explain how the fall worsened the client’s pre-existing disability.
- Developed a strong and persuasive argument to present before the jury, focusing on the defendant’s negligence in maintaining safe premises.
- Rigorous trial preparation to anticipate and counter the defendant’s arguments effectively in court.
The Result
- Successfully proved the defendant’s negligence, leading to a significant jury verdict in favor of the client.
- Secured a $533,000.00 award, far exceeding the defendant’s initial settlement offer of $20,000.
- Achieved justice for the client by holding the defendant accountable for their failure to ensure a safe environment.
