Jury Rules in Favor of Santa Monica in Slip and Fall Accident Suit

Santa Monica is the big winner as a Los Angeles Superior Court rules in their favor after an 84-year-old woman files a personal injury lawsuit. Some people think that if they are injured in a public place that it would be easy to successfully sue a municipality. However, as Beatrice Kaufman just learned, that is not always the case.

According to Kaufman, she sustained serious injuries on September 5, 2008, while onboard a Santa Monica Big Blue Bus. She alleged that the driver did not give her sufficient time to sit down before pulling away. She claimed that the injuries left her as a partial quadriplegic. She sought $1 million in past medical bills and more than $3 million in future expenses. 

Unfortunately for Kaufman, the jury rejected her Santa Monica injury claim. The city was able to provide sufficient proof that Kaufman did have enough time to find a seat, but rather chose to stand holding a safety bar. She apparently fell when she let go of the safety bar while the bus was in motion.

If you have been injured in a slip and accident, you may feel that you have a “slam dunk” case. You need to keep in mind that cities, like Santa Monica, may adamantly defend themselves. You need experienced legal representation.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a similar accident, you should contact an experienced Santa Monica slip and fall attorney at Steinberg & Spencer at (800) 350-8888.