Brief Description of Case:
This claim arose out of a slip and fall that occurred in a stairwell at the Sequoya Middle School. The infant plaintiff attended a session for extra help before classes began for the day. The weather outside was wet and raining. After the session ended, the infant plaintiff slipped and fell down an entire flight of stairs. It was alleged that the wet condition arose as a result of over 700 students arriving for school. Plaintiffs’ counsel alleged that the School District was negligent in its ownership, operation, management, supervision, maintenance, and control of the premises. The alleged injuries included a compression fracture of the spine and allegations of knee injuries that resulted in surgeries.
Court or Jury’s Decision and Reasoning:
We successfully obtained a defense verdict by arguing that the School District maintained the premises in a satisfactory condition. Plaintiffs’ counsel failed to prove the existence of a defective condition was the proximate cause of the slip and fall accident. The plaintiffs’ counsel’s entire argument rested on the School District’s alleged constructive notice of the dangerous condition. The defense presented the School District’s Chief Custodian who provided beneficial testimony resulting in a verdict in favor of the School District.