Slip and Fall Case Study: Marlene

Marlene sustained serious physical and psychological injuries after slipping and falling on an icy sidewalk with no salt, sand or grit. Despite her wearing a sturdy pair of winter boots, as she fell, her legs went in opposite direction and she felt a stretch in her right hip. In the following days, she visited the hospital because of her pain.

At the emergency room, she was diagnosed with a soft tissue injury and was advised to not bear weight and apply ice to the injured side. A few days later, she saw a physiotherapist and a sports medicine doctor who prescribed an MRI showing an extensive labral tear. She underwent an intraarticular injection in her hip to treat the pain and continued with physiotherapy.

Marlene is unable to participate in her pre-collision social and recreational activities to the same extent as before. Before the accident, she led an active and healthy lifestyle.  She was as a licensed piano instructor who taught classes in the evenings. Now she no longer able to teach classes. Before her accident, Marlene was also an avid chef and baker. She would regularly host dinner parties and cook elaborate meals from scratch. She is no longer able to stand for the long periods of time required to cook food. Doctors have outlined that it is unlikely Marlene will ever return to her pre-incident level of function.

Our firm helped Marlene secure compensation for her loss of employment, housekeeping needs, medical costs, and pain and suffering by opening an accident benefits claim and a lawsuit. Marlene struggled to work in her government job and eventually had to take medical retirement. Our lawyers prepared Marlene for discovery and mediation. However, the case did not settle at mediation and continued to pre-trial. The case settled after three pre-trials and just a few months before the trial was scheduled to begin. Marlene was happy to receive a fair sum to enjoy for the rest of her life.