Our elderly client had just exited her vehicle in the parking lot at 282 Main Street in Groveland when a dangerous fall occurred. The weather conditions were rainy, making the sidewalk surfaces wet and treacherous for pedestrians, particularly elderly individuals.
As our client walked from her car, she stepped into a groove in the pavement that created a hazardous walking surface. The dangerous condition, combined with the wet weather conditions, caused our client to lose her footing and fall heavily onto her right shoulder.
The fall was witnessed by office personnel who immediately came running out to assist. A Good Samaritan also responded to help our injured client, and emergency services were promptly called to the scene.
Long-Term Injuries Sustained By Our Client
The fall resulted in a significant shoulder fracture that profoundly impacted our elderly client’s quality of life, including:
- Nondisplaced right proximal humerus fracture
- Exacerbation of pre-existing right shoulder arthritis
- Severe pain and limited mobility in the dominant arm
- An extended healing period requiring months of conservative treatment
- Decision against surgical intervention due to the client’s advanced age
This led to our client’s inability to use her arm for daily activities and to lift her right arm without assistance from her left arm.
Premises Liability and Property Owner Responsibility
This case demonstrates the serious legal obligation property owners have to maintain safe conditions for visitors, particularly elderly individuals who may be more vulnerable to slip and fall injuries. The dangerous groove in the parking lot pavement created an unreasonable risk of harm that was exacerbated by wet weather conditions.
Property owners must regularly inspect their premises for hazardous conditions and take appropriate action to:
- Repair dangerous pavement defects and surface irregularities
- Provide adequate drainage to prevent water accumulation
- Install proper lighting and warning signs where necessary
- Implement regular maintenance protocols to identify hazards
The Hidden Costs of Injury for Elderly Clients
This case highlights the unique challenges elderly individuals face when injured due to premises liability hazards. For our 88-year-old client, the shoulder fracture created a cascade of medical complications, including:
- Existing pain management regimen disrupted
- Inability to receive necessary back pain injections
- Conservative treatment approach due to surgical risks at advanced age
- An extended recovery period, typical for elderly patients
- Permanent functional limitations affecting daily independence
Additionally, our client suffered from a serious quality-of-life impact, which included:
- Loss of dominant arm function affecting basic tasks
- Increased dependence on others for daily activities
- Chronic pain, affecting sleep and overall well-being
- Fear and anxiety about future falls and mobility issues
Successful Settlement for Elderly Client
Our legal team successfully negotiated a $32,500 settlement, providing fair compensation for our client’s injuries and ongoing limitations. This result reflects the serious impact the fall had on our elderly client’s life, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and the disruption to her existing medical care.
The settlement amount considered the unique challenges faced by elderly injury victims, including extended healing times, increased vulnerability to complications, and the significant impact even “minor” injuries can have on independence and quality of life.
Protecting the Rights of Elderly Accident Victims
Elderly individuals deserve special protection under premises liability law due to their increased vulnerability to serious injury from falls. Our legal team understands the unique medical, financial, and emotional challenges faced by older clients who are injured due to property owner negligence.
If you or an elderly loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident, parking lot fall, or other premises liability incident, our experienced legal team is here to help. We are committed to ensuring that property owners are held accountable for maintaining safe conditions and that elderly victims receive the compassion and compensation they deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your premises liability case and learn about your legal rights.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is unique and results depend on specific facts and circumstances. This case result is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.