Real Estate Agent’s head injuries while showing house results in pre-trial settlement

Herndon and Reston premises liability lawyer Doug Landau notes that immediate investigation is needed in PTSD and head injury cases
Herndon and Reston premises liability lawyer Doug Landau notes that immediate investigation is needed in PTSD and head injury cases

Herndon head and facial injury lawyer Doug Landau helped write the Premises Liability books for Lexis Nexis over 25 years ago.  During that time, the ABRAMS LANDAU trial lawyer has helped people severely injured by dangers and defects on property and in buildings.  This includes injuries caused by slippery surfaces, defective steps, missing railings, broken curbs and falling objects in Virginia, New Jersey, Florida, Connecticut, Carolina and the District of Columbia.

In a case from Monmouth County, New Jersey, a light weighing approximately 20 pounds fell from a pull down attic stairs and injured an innocent plaintiff.  The plaintiff was a real estate agent and she was showing a home to a prospective buyer.  The realtor sustained several injuries, including a laceration to her lip and chin, dental injuries, fractured fingers, and post traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”).  The plaintiff realtor contended that the defendant homeowner negligently kept a 10-20 pound light on the pull down attic steps, resulting in the light falling and striking her as she was showing the home to a prospective buyer. The plaintiff contended that she did not exercise any control over the manner in which the light was stored and that the jury should be instructed regarding Res Ipsa Loquitur.

The real estate saleswoman required 60 sutures.  She contended that the moderate facial scarring was permanent in nature. The plaintiff also contended that she sustained several loose teeth, fractures to the left forefinger and thumb which will cause permanent pain and restriction and bruising to the left forearm that resolved.  The plaintiff also maintained that she suffered a post traumatic stress disorder that caused anxiety, flashbacks of the event and difficulties sleeping. The plaintiff’s psychiatrist would have given testimony supporting her injuries and a guarded prognosis.  The defendant contended that any emotional reaction essentially resolved and that the dental and finger injuries resolved.  The case settled prior to trial.

Because there are strict time limits for claims against property owners, building managers and homeowners,  if you or someone you know has been injured in an premises liability or other accident caused by someone else’s negligence or fault, e-mail or call us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. (703-796-9555) at once.

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