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- Slip, Trip and Fall Personal Injury Cases: When Is A Hole Or a Condition Open and Obvious?
Posted on 12/31/2008 - Scientists studying slip and fall accidents
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Slips, Trips & Falls
- Here are some results for our slip, trip, and fall cases. After you review them, give our firm a call at 1-800-752-0042 for a free case analysis.
- Richmond, Virginia (VA) Native Has Serious Injury to Knee After a Fall on Algae Covered Sidewalk
- Personal Injury Suits/Claims Stack Up Against Retailers Due to Falling Merchandise/Falling Product Negligence
This is a list of our firm's case results. We can't guarantee you'll receive the same results, but we can guarantee we'll work tirelessly on your behalf and try to obtain the jury verdict/settlement you deserve.
DISCLAIMER: Please note that every case is different and these verdicts and settlements, while accurate, do not represent what we may obtain for you in your case.
Trip & Fall, Foot/Leg Injuries at a Virginia Restaurant
CASE DESCRIPTION: Trip/Fall, Foot/Leg Injuries, Virginia Restaurant
COURT/DATE: November, 2009
OUTCOME: Confidential Settlement
STAFF:
Richard N. Shapiro, Attorney,
Donald Case, Investigator
Roz Hughes, Paralegal
Meg Cudden, Legal Assistant
WHAT HAPPENED:
A North Carolina resident was injured in a Virginia restaurant, when she suffered a trip and fall injury which she asserted was caused by a defective condition in the restaurant. She suffered orthopedic injuries that were handled with doctors in North Carolina. One of the legal issues in the trip and fall case was whether a two year Virginia statute of limitations applied, or whether a three year North Carolina injury limitation period applied. Our law firm, licensed in both NC and VA, researched the legal issue and learned that if an NC resident suffers an "out of state" injury, and files a NC state court suit against the responsible party (which party must do business in NC) that NC will apply the three year NC personal injury statute of limitations as to a common law negligence action.
KEY LEGAL STRATEGY:
Our law firm was first retained 2 years and a few months after the Virginia trip/fall injury occurred-after the expiration of VA's two year (2) statute of limitations for negligence injuries. The restaurant's claims adjuster told the potential client that the VA statute of limitations had expired on the potential claim. Attorney Richard Shapiro agreed to accept the case for the North Carolina resident, only on the condition that the firm would determine if the North Carolina three year personal injury statute of limitations might be applicable.
In some personal injury situations involving visitors or vacationers traveling briefly into a state (such at those visiting VA or NC) it is a complicated legal issue as to what state statute of limitations applies-especially if one state has a shorter time to sue than another state. If there is some question about what statute of limitations applies, an experienced injury attorney must research the nature of the injury, the state in which it occurred, the resident or home state of the visitor, and determine what are called "conflicts of law" court decisions, and what are called "borrowing statutes" in the states. First of all, there are numerous legal rules on where any person or company can be sued by an injured person, and the simplest statement is that you can only sue a person or company in particular state if they either do business in the state or have some minimum contacts in that state (like owning property, selling goods or services there, doing some kind of business, etc). Here, our research quickly revealed that the restaurant actively conducted business in North Carolina as well as Virginia.
"Borrowing [state] statutes" often dictate what happens if one state has a different statute of limitations from that state's own law and if a suit is filed in the resident's home state. For example, Va follows a 2 year general negligence statute of limitations and the bordering state of North Carolina follows a three year statute of limitations. This can create some "options" on what state to file a suit in-especially in the situation involving our injured client. We knew that if the client's suit was filed in Virginia it would likely be dismissed under the statute of limitations.
However, our client was a North Carolina resident merely visiting VA when hurt in the restaurant, and received most of her medical treatment back in NC where she lived. Research of the NC laws, and especially the NC "borrowing statute" revealed that if a NC resident files an injury case in a NC state court, and if another state where the injury happened has a statute of limitations that is shorter than NC's, that NC will apply the NC statute of limitations for a common law personal injury negligence action. So, under the specific facts of this injury case, we advised the client that the law provided up to three years to file the case in NC, and the restaurant did business in North Carolina (a necessary condition to having a viable lawsuit in NC). Essentially, we "revived" the injury case for our client, explained our analysis of the law to the restaurant claims adjuster, and that we would file the suit in North Carolina if necessary. About a month before the expiration of three years, we settled the claim on a confidential basis with the restaurant to the satisfaction of our client.
Awarded: Confidential Settlement
About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a law firm which focuses exclusively on injury and accident law. We have a proven track record in the court room, and you can review our case results to see for yourself. Our attorneys have deep roots in Virginia and handle cases throughout the commonwealth. Our office is based in Virginia Beach, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia if you've been seriously hurt by someone else's carelessness.
Rick Shapiro and James Lewis were included among the "Best Lawyers in America" 2010 Edition, named Virginia "Super Lawyers" For Personal Injury Law (2009 Ed., less than 5% of lawyers are chosen), and selected by the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum (2009). In addition, we were the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical, respected law firms. Our firm has the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization, which means we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill.
We provide FREE injury case consultations, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042. We also offer FREE special reports along with editing the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard as a public information service. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube and a Railroad Accident/FELA Lawyers Blog.
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Case Results
DISCLAIMER: PLEASE NOTE THAT EVERY CASE IS DIFFERENT, AND THE VERDICTS AND SETTLEMENTS MENTIONED ON THIS WEBSITE, WHILE ACCURATE, DO NOT REPRESENT WHAT WE MAY OBTAIN FOR YOU IN YOUR CASE.
Slips, Trips & Falls
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- Skiing/Ski Lift Operator Negligence-Knee/Leg Injury
- Department Store Shelf Falls on Customer
- Trip & Fall, Foot/Leg Injuries at a Virginia Restaurant
Awarded: 150,000.00
Awarded: $120,000.00
Awarded: Confidential Settlement
FAQs
Slips, Trips & Falls
- What happens if I injured myself at my friend's house or apartment?
- What should I avoid doing after a slip and fall accident?
- If I file a lawsuit against a landowner in response to a slip and fall accident, what are some of the things the landowner might argue against my claim?
- What are "slip and fall" or "trip and fall" injuries?
- What if my slip and fall injury was on my landlord's property, at work, or at a public mall? How does the location affect the legal process?