Premises Liability

Confidential RECOVERY – Failure to maintain exterior stairway leading to hotel – Portion of step collapses – ACL Tear superimposed on pre-existing knee arthritis.

U.S. District Court, Trenton

The female plaintiff, age 71 at the time, contended that a portion of a step collapsed as she was entering the defendant’s premises, causing her to suffer a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in the right knee. The plaintiff related that she had undergone a prior arthroscopic surgery for right knee arthritis and maintained that despite the prior condition, she was very active and able to walk without difficulties. The plaintiff maintained that she will permanently suffer significant pain and restriction because of the subject injury.

The defendant contended that any continuing complaints stemmed from the pre-existing arthritis. The case settled prior to trial for Confidential.

Reference

Halsted vs. Laurel Vila and Casino, Inc. Docket no. 01-2178; 3-03.

Attorney for plaintiff: Frank Gaudio of The Law Office of Miller & Gaudio PC in Red Bank.