Fall on ice outside apartment results in miscarriage

$425,000

A young single mother who was under 20 months pregnant fell outside the front door of her apartment building while attempting to walk her daughter to the bus stop in the early winter morning. After she noticed bleeding, she went to the hospital. They assured her the baby would be alright. However, a few days later, she felt terrible and in the bathroom noticed a lot of blood. She returned to the hospital and they confirmed she had suffered a miscarriage. The insurance company for the apartment denied liability, so a suit was filed. Attorney Goodman was able to prove that the duty owed to the apartment dweller was a safe entrance and exit and that duty could not be delegated to an outside contractor. The light rain earlier had created a dangerous invisible sheen of ice that caused the woman to fall on her back. Attorney Goodman retained an expert gynecologist and professor to examine the medical records and take a statement from the woman.

The doctor determined that it was more likely than not that the fall resulted in loss of the baby. At an all day mediation after suit was filed, Attorney Goodman spent a lot of time eliciting from the plaintiff the severe emotional and psychological stress she suffered along with the immeasurable grief that followed the loss. It was a very emotional session for all involved. The insurance carrier adjuster in charge was very moved by the presentation that Attorney Goodman had put together and decided that the young woman was very deserving of significant compensation for her loss.