A common misconception that many in Providence may have regarding ground level falls is that for people in good overall health, such an accident cannot cause serious injury. Yet certain factors, such as the conditions present at the time of the fall, could serve to compound the possibility for sustaining substantial injuries, no matter the age or condition of the victim.
In those cases where serious injuries are alleged to have occurred, the compensation being sought by slip-and-fall accident victims could influence the type of lawsuit in pursuit of such a reward. For instances where a plaintiff is seeking more than $75,000 in damages, the amount being sought meets the requirements for federal jurisdiction.
A recent case involving a Pennsylvania woman illustrates this point. In the summer of 2013, the woman claims to have sustained serious injuries to her neck, back, hands, and knees from a fall suffered at a Philadelphia convenience store. In her subsequent lawsuit, she alleged that inadequate lighting combined with a poorly maintained store floor contributed to her fall.
Initially, she sought $50,000 in a lawsuit filed through the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. However, she later claims to have discovered that her injuries from fall required that she now have rotator cuff surgery. Given this new information, she has now raised her compensation request to $75,000, requiring that she now move her case to federal court.
Have You Been Injured On Someone's Property In Rhode Island?
If you've been injured on someone else's property you need to speak with an experienced premises liability lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Warwick office directly at 401.946.3200 to schedule your free consultation. We help injury victims in Providence, Warwick and all areas of Rhode Island.