Slip and Fall
24k Settlement for Slip and Fall Injury
January 26, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
A Palo Alto woman who tripped on a raised sidewalk has been awarded $24,000 by an outside arbitrator.
Paula Goldberg, 59, tripped over a buckling slab of concrete at 419 Waverley St. in June 2006, tearing a ligament in her thumb as she attempted to break her fall, according to Michael Servarian, the city’s hired attorney.
Goldberg filed suit in Santa Clara County Superior Court in June 2007 and both sides entered into mandatory nonbinding arbitration in July 2009, Servarian said.
“Both sides accepted the award. It is very unusual for both sides to accept a settlement,” he said, pointing out that if one side is happy and the other is not, the dissatisfied party can still choose to go to trial. Both sides seemed content with the award, he said.
The sidewalk was most probably repaired after the accident, Servarian said.
“What often happens is a person falls and submits a claim then Public Works fixes it,” he said.
Mike Sartor, assistant director of Public Works, said he did not know when the sidewalk was repaired. He referred comment to the attorney.
Greg Cattermole, attorney for Goldberg, was in court on Tuesday and did not return phone calls requesting comment.
If you have been injured in a similar slip and fall situation the Kent, Washington personal injury attorneys at our firm may be able to help. With extensive experience we offer free initial consultation to anyone seeking personal injury damages in Washington State.
