Personal injuries can have serious consequences. If you have been injured on someone else's property are undecided about what actions to take, and then consider the case of plaintiff Karey Chambers of Georgia. Mr. Chambers experienced a simple slip-and-fall that had serious consequences and a happy outcome ultimately. His injury occurred when he slid on yogurt spilled in a Kroger’s parking lot. His shoulder or more specifically his rotator cuff was injured in the fall. The rotator cuff is a complex system of muscles and tendons that surrounds the shoulder joint and enables the free range of motion and human arm is designed to have. Unfortunately, Mr. Chambers was a truck driver and the tear he sustained prevented him from working. Not only was he out of work, but he also needed 2 surgeries to repair the shoulder, amassing medical bills of almost $60,000.

Kroger's initially offered a settlement of $15,000, while the plaintive requested a settlement of $385,000. The defendant did not disagree that Mr. Chambers slipped and fell on yogurt but claimed that his accidents was simply an accident and that they had taken all ordinary legal measures for safety. However, the security camera footage from that day told a different story. Under review, it was plainly visible that a Kroger’s employee walked past the spill many times without taking action before Mr. Chambers fell. Negotiations and mediations between the plaintiffs and the defendant came to no conclusion, so the personal injury lawsuit filed by Mr. Chambers went on to a juried trial.

The jury was initially observed, by the case's judge, Judge Roth, to be unfriendly towards the plaintiff’s, Mr. Chambers’, allegations. Through the process of voir dire, a more impartial set of jurors was selected and at the end of the case the jury decided to award Mr. Chambers $400,000. This award amount was an unprecedented settlement sum for a simple slip-and-fall injury resulting in a rotator cuff tear.

Although this lawsuit occurred in the state of Georgia, it is an excellent illustration of the United States justice system functioning as it ought to. If you have been the victim of a slip and fall injury, then consult a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer to discuss your options. If you have experienced loss of work, pain and suffering, limited motion and a mass of medical bills it is well within your rights to file a claim.