Personal injury law is a broad field that encompasses a wide array of cases, from being bitten by a dog to slipping and falling off an uncleaned mess in a restaurant. It is important for the average citizen to be aware of their rights to seek fair compensation for their losses.
A visit to this website enlightens you with all the information relevant to personal injury law. Additionally, it also helps you find lawyers for your specific case.
The “information” part previously mentioned is important here. Many people often refrain from taking legal action, assuming that their case is not worth the effort. This article disapproves of that claim. We’ve shared three absolutely bizarre personal injury cases that didn’t just go to court but were awarded compensation as well.
The idea here is to prove that all cases are worthy of attention. If you think that your case will probably fail and that seeking legal recourse is a waste of time and money, then you’re missing out. You don’t get any compensation for your losses and damages, and you’re letting the at-fault party go scot-free.
The Expensive Thumb
In 1999, a New Yorker named Cedric Makara was inside a public bathroom. The cubicle in which Makara was didn’t have a door knob but a hole instead of one. When Makara put his thumb inside the hole and pulled the door to exit the cubicle, another patron pushed the door with the intention of entering it. This push injured Makara’s thumb.
Makara’s thumb injury was so bad that he had to miss work for 6 months. He also had to undergo surgery on his thumb to recover from the injury caused by the broken door knob.
Makara claimed that the manager and the owner of the building had failed to maintain the bathroom door in good condition, as they were responsible for maintaining the bathroom. He sued Newmark Realty and 40 Worth Associates on grounds of negligence.
The jury awarded Makara $2 million to compensate for his past and future pain and suffering. He also received $200,000 for potential medical expenses, while his wife was awarded $750,000 for lost income. Makara received a total of $3 million in damages.
A Shocking Development
On August 3, 1997, Larry Harris, a 37-year-old thief, tried to sneak into a local tavern in Aurora, Illinois. But while sneaking in, Harris came in contact with a 220-volt homemade security device. He was electrocuted to death.
The survivors of Harris filed a wrongful death case against the tavern owners, Barb and Jesse Ingram, seeking compensation of more than $50,000. They claimed that the Ingrams violated fire and electrical codes and resorted to using lethal force despite not being in imminent danger.
More than 5 years after the initial claim, the Kane County jury awarded the survivors of Larry Harris $150,000 in compensation. But since Harris snuck illegally into the tavern, he was assigned half of the liability. The compensation was reduced to $75,000, out of which the Ingrams had to pay $60,000, and the remaining $15,000 was to be paid by Alma Moody, the owner of the building.
The Million-Dollar Watermelon
On June 25, 2015, Henry Walker, a 59-year-old army veteran, visited a Walmart in Phenix City, Alabama. Walker saw a display of watermelons and reached out to take one, unaware of the wooden pallet nearby. Walker’s foot got stuck in the gaps in the wooden pallet and tripped. He fell down and shattered his hip.
Walker filed a case against Walmart for negligence and wantonness, which was presented in the Russel County Circuit Court. The jury discussed the case for over 2 hours, which also included reviewing security footage from Walmart. The footage showed that Walker wasn’t the only one who tripped and fell.
The jury ruled in favor of Henry Walker, awarding him $2.5 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, amounting to a total of $7.5 million.
Final Thoughts
Those were some weird personal injury cases where the plaintiff didn’t just sue but ended up winning as well. This is why it is essential to discuss your accident with a lawyer. No matter how silly it may sound, talking with a lawyer lets you know whether you have a valid case in your hands.
The lawyer will also provide the assistance required to prove your case in court. This includes filing the necessary paperwork, helping gather evidence, and making strong arguments in court. You can also expect your lawyer to make compelling opening and closing statements to convince the jury.
Then, there are victims who refrain from seeking a lawyer citing financial difficulties. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. Lawyers who work on a contingency fee arrangement don’t take any fees upfront. Instead, they take a portion of the victim’s winnings. This is beneficial to the victim in that they don’t have to spend money for the legal assistance they get.
Act quickly if you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence. Get in touch with an experienced personal injury lawyer and find out your options.
