Stark & Stark is pleased to announce that Shareholder Denise Mariani, member of the firm’s Accident & Personal Injury group, recently negotiated a $1.65 million settlement on behalf of a mother who was left permanently disabled after falling down an inadequately secured stairwell at her daughter’s bridal shower.
The accident occurred on April 25, 2009 when the mother tripped on a piece of raised flooring and fell down the entire length of the stairwell, which was not secured with railings or any other type of guards. At the time of the fall, she was attempting to photograph her daughter’s entrance to the surprise bridal shower.
As a result of the accident, the mother suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, shoulder and wrist tears and a low back injury. These injuries necessitated a series of four reconstructive surgeries to her wrist along with the permanent need of a four-prong cane due to vertigo. Prior to her fall the mother served for 35 years as a nurse. Due to the injuries she was unable to return to her career as an O.R. trauma nurse.
