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$300,000 Settlement for Trip and Fall Accident at a Vacation Rental
A client suffered severe and permanent injuries to her right leg when she tripped and fell down a flight of stairs at a two-story villa rental in the Poconos. As she approached the top of the stairs, her right foot caught on a section of raised wall-to-wall carpeting, causing her to trip toward the wall of the staircase, which lacked a handrail. Consequently, she suffered fractures to her leg that required multiple surgeries.
A thorough investigation of the accident determined that the owner of the hotel property was negligent. Evidence presented to support the premises liability claim included the following:
- Photos taken shortly after the accident showed defective bunching in the carpet
- The defect was located in a very dangerous location, where the second-floor landing meets the stairs at the opening of the stairwell
- The wall-to-wall carpet had not been formally inspected or repaired in 19 years
- The absence of a left-sided handrail and a graspable right-sided handrail violates the International Building Code
Furthermore, testimony from the rental employees supported the fact that the defect was obvious for some time and should have been recognized and repaired by the property owner. After mediation, Michael Malvey of Galfand Berger LLP helped the victim recover $300,000 in damages to pay for medical bills and lost wages, as well as compensation for her pain and suffering during her recovery.
If you were injured due to the negligence of a property owner, please contact the Philadelphia premises liability lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP today. Our legal team will review your case and advise on the next best steps. Contact us online or call 800-222-8792 for a free consultation today. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, we serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including Allentown and Harrisburg.