At Dordick Law, we pride ourselves on relentlessly fighting for our clients, ensuring they receive the justice and compensation they deserve. In a recent case, we secured a substantial settlement for a client who suffered life-altering injuries due to a manufacturer’s negligence.
The Incident: A Simple Step with Devastating Consequences
Our kind and hardworking client was attempting to exit her RV when she tripped on the doorway threshold. As she reached for the safety handrail to steady herself, the grab handle completely detached from the wall, causing her to fall face-first onto the concrete driveway below. The manufacturer had only secured two of the four necessary screws in the top mounting bracket, and those two screws had missed the aluminum stud behind the bracket during assembly. This catastrophic failure resulted in severe injuries, including fractures to her left orbital and cheekbone, as well as her left wrist.
Uncovering the Truth: Manufacturer Negligence
Investigations revealed that the assist bar had not been altered after purchase, directly contradicting the defendant’s counter-allegation that a third party had modified the grab bar between installation and the injury incident. A metallurgist confirmed that only one set of screws had ever been installed, proving the manufacturer’s negligence in assembling the RV. This solid evidence was crucial in establishing liability.
The Aftermath: A Life Changed Forever
Beyond the facial fractures and wrist injury, our client suffered a mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI), which led to daily headaches, dizziness, irritability, mood swings, and memory problems. Tragically, her situation worsened when a CT scan revealed fluid buildup in her maxillary sinus cavities—one side was filled, and the other partially affected. The defense argued that the buildup was due to a preexisting rare condition called silent sinus syndrome rather than traumatic blood in the maxillary cavity. However, our experts challenged this theory, asserting that it was highly unlikely she would suddenly develop such a condition immediately after the traumatic injury.
To address the fluid buildup, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist recommended surgery. Unfortunately, the surgeon operated on the wrong sinus cavity, severing our client’s medial rectus muscle behind her eye. This tragic medical error caused her eye to turn grey, become sunken, and turn upwards, leading to partial right-eye blindness. The defense disputed the causal link between the failed surgery and the accident, arguing that it was an unrelated medical complication rather than a direct consequence of the traumatic injury.
Legal Challenges: Proving Causation and Overcoming Obstacles
One of the biggest hurdles in this case was proving that the eye injury directly resulted from the accident. After consulting multiple ENTs, we confirmed that the trauma caused blood to accumulate in the right sinus cavity. A radiologist further supported our case and was the first to detect trauma in the right orbital/maxillary area.
Additionally, recent changes to tort law posed another challenge, as they could have reduced our client’s compensation. While the original tortfeasor is responsible for all resulting harm, the new legal framework allows for general damages to be reduced if medical negligence is involved. Thanks to our team’s strategic approach, we were able to secure the maximum compensation for our client, despite these legal complexities.
Justice Served: A Victory for Our Client
This settlement is not just a financial victory for our client—it’s a testament to our unwavering commitment to holding negligent parties accountable. Our client’s life was permanently altered due to the manufacturer’s oversight, and we fought tirelessly to ensure she received the justice she deserved.
At Dordick Law, we don’t just handle cases—we fight for people. We have extensive experience standing up to big corporations, insurance companies, and negligent individuals to secure the compensation our clients deserve. Our offices are located in downtown Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and Riverside.
Call us toll-free at (800) 555-5595 or click here to schedule a free consultation today.
