$305,000: Homeowners Neglect to Fix Loose Tiles Causing Traumatic Fall for 71-Year-Old Lady

Premises Liability-xCASE DESCRIPTION: On Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2011, Ms. B. enjoyed dinner at the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. with other family and friends. She left the house at or around 11:00 p.m., stepped on some loose tiles on one of the steps leading up to the front of the house, lost her footing, and fell on her left side.

FINAL RESULT: $305,000.00 total settlement

Plaintiff contended that Defendants Mr. and Mrs. A. were aware of the dangerous condition created by loose tiles on their front steps for at least a month prior to the incident but failed to use reasonable care to keep their property in a reasonably safe condition or give adequate warning.

Defendants admitted liability, but disputed the severity of plaintiff’s injuries.

TYPE OF CASE: Premises Liability

PLAINTIFF’S INJURIES: Left hip intertrochanteric fracture, pain in bilateral knees, lower back pain, right arm bruising, left elbow abrasion, right arm pain, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, weakness, pain in left hip, elbow, and shoulder, and chronic left leg edema.

DATE & LOCATION OF INCIDENT:    On Thursday, November 24, 2011 around 11:00 p.m. on front steps of house in Glendale, CA

PLAINTIFF AGE: 71 at the time of the incident                                     

PLAINTIFF’S OCCUPATION: Retired nurse

PLAINTIFFS’ ATTORNEYS:
Michael A. Penn, Esq.
AITKEN✦AITKEN✦COHN
3 MacArthur Place, Suite 800
Santa Ana, CA 92707
(714) 434-1424
Joanna@aitkenlaw.com

DEFENDANTS’ ATTORNEYS:
Don W. Gilbert, Esq.
Michael Maguire & Associates
611 Anton Blvd., Suite 900
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 435-7500