On July 17, 2018, a person at the AMC theater had a slip and fall accident resulting in CRPS, prompting her to sue AMC for ongoing pain and other damages. Let’s explore the details of the slip and fall lawsuit with Ehline Law and our personal injury attorneys.
Woman Suffers Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) After Her Slip and Fall Accident at AMC
A woman went to watch Incredibles 2 with her family at the local AMC theater in Poway. After buying popcorn and beverage at the theater, she proceeded to a hallway toward the auditorium to watch the movie when she passed an ADA bathroom. A sign outside the toilet stated that it was out of order.
The woman turned a corner to approach the auditorium, and as she stepped off the carpet and onto the floor, she slipped due to the water flowing outside the ADA bathroom. She fell on her hands first before her body hit the ground.
The Lawsuit Alleged That the Plaintiff Suffered Injuries Resulting in CRPS
According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff slipped and suffered a non-displaced distal radial fracture that resulted in her CRPS. The lawsuit alleges that the AMC was negligent and did not place a warning sign of the wet floor that led to her fractured wrist and, eventually, CRPS.
However, the defendant disputed liability and argued that the plaintiff’s injuries occurred due to her pre-existing fibromyalgia and her extensive surgical history before the accident.
The Jury Trial Does Not Return with a Defense Verdict
Before the trial, the defendant offered to settle the case for $200,000. However, the plaintiff and her attorneys refused and battled the dispute at trial, which lasted eight days.
Upon conclusion of the trial, the jury awarded the plaintiff $9,117,715, consisting of $7.7 million in current and future non-economic damages. The court did not award punitive damages for the slip and fall injuries.
What Is CRPS and Its Symptoms?
CRPS, commonly known as complex regional pain syndrome, is a severe neuro-inflammatory disorder that occurs when an injury to the nervous system occurs. There is no cure for CRPS, and the pain experienced is severe, usually controlled by regular doctor visits.
Diagnosing CRPS is challenging, previously known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome. However, there are four symptoms to identify CRPS, and these include the following:
- Constant pain occurs, and a burning sensation
- Inflammation that leads to bruising, deformation, and discoloration
- Blood vessels and muscle spasms
- Insomnia, short-term memory problems, confusion, and other mental problems.
It is important to note that not all victims experience similar symptoms, and the rate at which they may experience symptoms vary from one case to another.
Common Causes of CRPS
There are two main causes of CRPS, and these include:
- Injuries or illness that does not directly impact the nervous system
- Injuries or illness that directly affects a nerve.
When a victim experiences trauma to an extremity, it can give rise to CRPS. In the “plaintiff develops CRPS after slip and fall in theater” incident, she suffered injuries to her hands, triggering chronic pain.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a CRPS Injury Lawyer at Ehline Law Firm
Slip and fall accidents can be devastating and the medical bills and lost income can cause severe financial stress. Victims in a slip and fall accident need to contact a competent attorney specializing in personal injury law to help recover compensation for the medical expenses and other damages.
Ehline Law and our attorneys have over 15 years of experience successfully handling personal injury lawsuits across California. We maintain a confidential attorney-client relationship for cases involving sensitive matters, allowing our clients to discuss the incident as openly as possible to help build a strong personal injury claim against the negligent party’s insurance company.
If you suffered physical injuries from a slip and fall accident, contact us at (833) LETS-SUE for a free consultation with our legal experts. Visit our law office or contact us for more information on your slip and fall case.
