Mediation of Slip & Fall Case Yields $425K

A late night accident at a summer beach house on Fire Island ended painfully for the plaintiff. The defendant owned a summer home in Fire Island which was rented to members of a bridal party.

The defendants constructed a ramp walkway from the side entrance to the house. The walkway was unlit, had no railings and was not straight. After the wedding, members of the wedding party returned to the beach house at which time the plaintiff fell from the ramp and landed straight on his foot. The fall caused a severe fracture that required reconstructive surgery.

As the parties awaited a trial date, the parties participated in a mediation which resulted in a settlement of the premises liability lawsuit in the amount of $425,000.