South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog
A man from Port St. Lucie was recently awarded more than $1 million after a slip-and-fall accident in one of the country’s largest retail stores. According to The Palm Beach Post, the 41-year-old man was carrying a bottle of water at the Walmart on S.W. Gatlin when he stepped on a Gatorade sign that had fallen off a nearby display. The man fell violently and tore the tendons in the biceps of his right arm.
Since the accident, he has acquired over $200,000 in medical bills. He’s had three serious surgeries in less than two years. He had to have a cadaver Achilles tendon inserted into his arm to help with building strength. Now he has a “Popeye Deformity,” which refers to a malformed bicep. The abnormal bulges resemble much of the famous cartoon character Popeye’s arms.
Our Port St. Lucie slip-and-fall accident lawyers understand that these kinds of incidents are nothing to joke about. Oftentimes, victims are left with life-altering and debilitating conditions. Many of these kinds of accidents can be prevented if property owners and supervisors take better care to maintain the premises. According to the security camera, Walmart employees disregarded the sign after it fell. Instead, they pointed their fingers at Gatorade, saying the sign was properly assembled and it was the plastic screws on the display that were faulty and caused the accident. Walmart also claims that it was not negligent because workers didn’t have enough time to remove the sign before the accident.
After the jury deliberated for 4 hours, jurors came back with a verdict that found Walmart was 90 percent at fault. The victim was awarded more than $1,287,000 for his injuries.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), falls are the number one cause of unintentional injuries in the U.S. These incidents account for close to 9 million visits to the E.R. each year.
Adults over the age of 55 are at the highest risks for these kinds of accidents. It gets worse with age, too. Risks for fatal fall accidents are four times higher for adults over the age of 64 than anyone else.
In 2009, there were close to 30,000 fall-related fatalities in the U.S. Many of these incidents could have been prevented with a little more awareness and caution.
Tips to help prevent fall accidents:
-Make sure all phone cords and electrical wires are stored out of common walkways. You want to make sure that walkways are clear of all possible tripping hazards.
-Get rid of small throw rugs if you can. If not, use non-skid mats to help to keep them from slipping. Rugs only serve as a dangerous obstacle. Keep floors smooth, flat and clear for safety.
-Toss out all obstacles, including toys, trash, shoes, paper, boxes, from common walking areas. Walkways need to be clear of obstacles.
-Eliminate all uneven walking surfaces.
-Clean up spills immediately!
Freeman & Mallard is a South Florida personal injury and wrongful death law firm dedicated to helping those who have been injured. Call today for a free consultation. 1-800-561-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Fort Lauderdale Falls Most Common Among Older Adults, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, June 22, 2011
Premise liability injuries a holiday danger in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, November 26, 2010