Property owners in Las Vegas have an obligation to maintain their premises and keep it free of hazards that could lead to injury of some kind. When they put patrons in harm’s way, they could face civil litigation to address personal injury and premises liability claims.
One man recently took his personal injury matter to court, with allegations that he sustained severe injuries while being treated at a hospital. According to reports, the man was walking outside of the hospital when uneven concrete caused him to fall. Apart from injuring his ankle, the man also claims that he sustained a spinal cord injury that affected his neck.
During a trial that lasted four days, the hospital claimed that the man’s spine injury was part of a pre-existing condition. While the injured individual had admitted to having lumbar stenosis, a degenerative disease of the spinal cord, he asserted that the hospital fall damaged the portion of his spine affecting his neck, and that his pre-existing injury affected his lower back.
Experts indicated that the severity of the injury was such that the man required surgery to prevent potential paralysis that might occur over time. The defendant, however, argued that the injuries linked to the fall were little more than a sprained ankle. They also claimed that they were unaware of the concrete sidewalk fall hazard.
The jury sided with the plaintiff and awarded him over $350,000 in damages. According to reports, they did not agree with the hospital’s claims that administration was not aware of or responsible for the sidewalk.
Those who have been injured due to a negligent property owner’s failure to maintain their grounds should discuss the matter with a personal injury attorney.
Source: The Pennsylvania Record, “Phila. jury awards plaintiff $350K in premises liability case against Temple Hospital,” Jon Campisi, Oct. 22, 2013
