$590,000 Fractured Heel Bone
Our client was a 60 year-old nurse who was shopping at a high-end Manhattan boutique. She descended from the second floor to the main floor and, in the process, found herself unknowingly on a 14 inch-high platform where the mannequins were displayed. In attempting to step down from the platform, she fell hard onto her foot fracturing her heel bone (calcaneus). Her injury was treated via surgery with a plate and pin. She returned to full-time nursing about four months later. Suit was brought against the store and its architect. Our expert engineer and architect claimed that the defendants had violated various provisions of the NYS Building Code with respect to steps, signs and exits. The parties agreed to proceed to mediation where the case settled for $590,000.