Man Awarded $15 Million After Falling Through Condo’s Pool Stairs
When working, supporting a business as a client, or otherwise being on someone else’s property, people have an expectation of safety. Not many people go to a place of business or a friend’s house and expect to suffer an accident and become disabled for life.
Unfortunately, a pool maintenance man suffered this fate after he fell through wooden steps while working on the pool at the Harmon Cove IV condominium in Secaucus. He filed a premises liability lawsuit against Harmon Cove IV Condominium Association and the Wilkin Management Group, Inc. in the Superior Court of Hudson County in December 2019. He recently received a $15 million settlement.
The incident happened on September 6, 2018. The 59-year-old man from Saddle Brook was standing on wooden steps when they collapsed beneath him. The tread detached from the stringer and the man fell onto the pavement below. His right foot hit the pavement and he landed on his back.
The man, an employee with Preferred Pool Management Inc., of Fairfield, suffered serious injuries. The injuries were so debilitating that he was forced to leave his job. The injuries included tears in his left knee and disc ruptures in his spine. The man underwent surgery and was eventually diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome, a condition that causes extreme pain. The man has been disabled ever since. He is unable to walk, bathe, or dress himself. The pain is so intense that he frequently experiences nausea and vomiting.
Stair Collapse
To go from one floor to another, we may take the stairs. Stairs are generally fairly safe, but if they are not properly maintained, they can fall apart. This is especially true for outdoor staircases. Parts of staircases may separate and eventually cave in. A staircase or step could collapse underneath a person due to the negligence of the landlord or property owner.
Stairs may collapse when:
- Wooden steps are rotting.
- Loose or missing stair treads are not replaced.
- The supporting structure is warped or slipping.
- Risers are shifting out of the support structure.
Injuries that may occur from a stair collapse incident include the following:
- Broken bones
- Neck or back injuries
- Concussions or traumatic brain injuries
The liable party will be ordered to pay for these injuries and any other damages caused by the stair collapse, particularly if negligence was to blame. A lawyer can help you get compensation for your damages.
Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today
When a person owns a property, they have an obligation to keep it safe. A condominium should not have broken stairs that can cause injuries to workers.
If you have been injured on someone else’s property, seek legal help from a Morristown premises liability attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff. We will assess your case and hold the appropriate parties liable for their actions. Get started by scheduling a free consultation. Fill out the online form or call (973) 455-1567.
Source:
nj.com/hudson/2024/03/15m-settlement-for-man-who-fell-through-nj-condos-pool-stairs.html
