A community center was cleared from liability in February for a slip and fall lawsuit filed by a Florida woman. She was seeking damages of $850,000.
Mildred Golbois sued the Jewish Community Centers of South Broward Inc. (JCC) after an alleged fall in 2011. She claimed she slipped on spilled juice while sampling refreshments on the lobby table in the David Posnack Jewish Community Center in Davie, Florida. Golbois filed a negligence lawsuit against JCC, the center’s owner. According to the lawsuit, she required surgery after being diagnosed later with a fractured right knee patella.
The defense found inconsistencies in Golbois’ trial and deposition testimony. According to the defense, Golbois said in her deposition she did not know what caused the slip and fall accident. She stated she assumed later that it must have been due to a wet substance where she was standing. The jury agreed with the defense and found the center was not negligent.
To prove liability in a slip and fall accident, the plaintiff must show the property owner was negligent in keeping the premises safe and clean. In addition, they should have known about the hazardous condition but did not take action to repair it. The law focuses on whether a reasonable person in charge of the property would have noticed the condition and remedied it. For example, by wiping up a spilled liquid or fixing a cracked walkway.
It is important to note that determining fault can be more complicated than it might seem. If you were injured and you believe someone else is fully or partially to blame, contact Chalik & Chalik personal injury lawyers to learn more about your rights.
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