Philadelphia County Settlement at Mediation: $137,500.00:

This premises liability matter arose from a slip and fall incident which occurred on Defendant’s sidewalk. Plaintiff, a very pleasant witness with no prior claims or medical history, asserted that as she walked on the sidewalk, Defendant’s dogs startled her in such a way that she moved to the edge of the sidewalk and fell due to a dangerous change in elevation between the sidewalk and the adjacent grass. As a result of the fall, Plaintiff sustained a fractured wrist which required surgery and subsequent removal of surgical hardware. Although Defendant did not dispute Plaintiff sustained a fracture, which appeared well-healed, Defendant did dispute that the sidewalk was in any manner defective. Instead, Defendant – citing significant portions of her Deposition testimony – argued Plaintiff’s inattentiveness caused her to fall. Similarly, Plaintiff cited various portions of Defendant’s Deposition testimony wherein she conceded the change in elevation may have been something she should have corrected. Ultimately, the risk of trial for both Parties prompted a very reasonable, amicable settlement.