The wife of a former San Diego mayor was recently awarded $85,000 in a lawsuit against the city. Cynthia Hedgecock was walking along a sidewalk in Pacific Beach when she tripped and fell. The fall resulted in a rupture of her breast implant, which required surgery and extensive recovery. She fell on an uneven sidewalk, which the city is required to maintain. The accident occurred in 2015. Her husband was mayor of San Diego from 1983 to 1985.
Mrs. Hedgecock received $20,000 in medical expenses and $65,000 for pain and suffering in a jury trial. The award comes after the city did not agree to settle the situation. The woman reportedly had to undergo breast implant replacement because her implant ruptured because of her fall.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents are among the most common reason for emergency room visits in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, falls are more common in older individuals and such accidents are more likely to result in serious injuries. Every year about 2.8 million older people are treated in emergency rooms for injuries due to falls.
Falls can cause serious injuries including broken bones such as hip fractures and traumatic head injuries. Some injuries require surgical treatment and lengthy recovery periods. Each year about 300,000 people suffer hip fractures and about 95% of those are caused by falls.
Slip and Fall Liability
Not all falls are due to someone else’s negligence, but when they are, legal action may be possible. In order to file a legal claim, you must be able to prove that the party was negligent and knew or should have known about the dangerous situation. In this case, the city of San Diego was responsible for maintaining the sidewalk where the woman fell. They should have known that a damaged walkway was unsafe and could cause injuries. They failed to properly maintain or repair the sidewalk.
It is advisable to speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after an accident. Your doctor’s visits, medical costs, surgery, medication, and rehabilitation costs might be recoverable. Additionally, if the other involved party was negligent, you may also be entitled to compensation for lost wages if you missed work and money for pain and suffering.
Most personal injury cases are resolved by settlement through the negotiation process. A settlement can resolve the case more quickly in many instances. If an agreement cannot be reached, the case may proceed to court. In this case, the woman’s lawsuit was resolved in a trial by jury.
Get Legal Help After a Slip and Fall
If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence you may have a legal case. Your medical costs and other expenses should be paid for by the responsible party. Every case is different, so it is best to discuss the accident with an attorney. Contact the legal team at the Law Office of Patrick G. Shea to schedule a consultation today.
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