Injury: Broken ankle as well as bruises and abrasions to other areas of her body, including her left elbow and back.

Result: $275,000 (settlement)
Offer: Not reported

Area: San Bernardino County, California
Judge: Donald R. Alvarez
Specials:
Medical Costs: $41,527

Plaintiff Attorney:
Maro Burunsuzyan Law Offices of Maro Burunsuzyan - Glendale

Defendant Attorney:
Confidential

Facts: 1/7/03, Plaintiff, a 52-year-old school teacher, provided transportation to her son to attend a one-session vocational class at defendant campus. Defendant campus has winding walkways and multiple stairways from the campus to the parking lot area. On this particular evening, it was quite dark, and the campus walkway area was dimly lit. Plaintiff was able to locate the stairway to Parking Lot C. She carefully descended the stairs while holding on to the pipe railing with her right hand. As she began to move her foot from the bottom step to the landing, she found that the landing was steep. Although she continued to utilize the handrail for balance, the round pipe handrail did not extend past the last step. Instead, the handrail terminated at the middle of the bottom step, causing her to lose her balance and fall, causing severe breaks to her ankle. She struck the ground, broke her right ankle, and severely bruised her left elbow area. She was unable to get to her feet and crawled into the parking lot area towards her car, where she was assisted by several persons. A security guard for the campus responded to the scene, and plaintiff was taken by ambulance to Redlands Community Hospital.

Settlement Date: Not reported