Woman falls down steps: Negligent maintenance: Ankle sprain: Stretched ligaments: Verdict

Law Reporter, Dec 2003

GOVERNMENT LIABILITY

Abbott v. Virginia, Va., Norfolk City Cir. Ct., No. CL01-2489, Feb. 18, 2003.

Abbott, 19, was walking down a flight of stairs at a state university when she tripped over an uneven riser between the steps and fell down the stairs. She suffered a severely sprained ankle and required surgery to repair the stretched ligaments. Abbott, a full-time student, incurred medical expenses of $13,000.

Abbott sued the state, alleging negligent maintenance of its property. A jury awarded $137,000, which was reduced to $100,000 in accordance with the state statutory damages cap.

Plaintiff's experts in this case included Dan E. Griffin, architecture, Portsmouth, Va., and Loel Payne, orthopedics, Hampton, Va.

Plaintiff's Counsel

*Robert J. Haddad, Virginia Beach, Va.