Case Summary
Associate Attorneys Aram Zohrabian and Neekta Izadian of Vaziri Law Group successfully litigated a premises liability case that arose from a dangerous condition at a national home improvement retailer. For our client, what followed was years of intensive medical treatment, multiple procedures, and ongoing pain management efforts. Despite these interventions, he continues to struggle with severe spinal pain, functional limitations, and emotional distress. His medical expenses exceeded $355,000, and he required a spinal cord stimulator implantation to manage his chronic pain.
After contested litigation, our attorneys secured a $1,000,000 settlement on his behalf. This resolution not only covered his extensive medical costs but also delivered a substantial recovery to help him rebuild his life and secure future care.
Facts of the Case
In May 2020, our client was shopping at a large home improvement store when he experienced a life-altering fall. After using the restroom, he walked back through the appliance section and suddenly slipped on sand that had been left scattered across the sales floor. There were no warning signs, cones, or efforts to address the hazard.
The fall was severe. He landed hard on his back, was unable to move, and required transportation to the hospital by ambulance. Store management completed an incident report documenting the accident, but the retailer and its representatives disputed liability, suggesting that responsibility for the unsafe condition was unclear.
Through careful investigation, our attorneys established that the presence of loose sand in a customer walkway created an unreasonably dangerous condition. The store had failed to maintain a safe environment for its customers, and this failure directly caused the accident and its devastating consequences.
Treatment
Immediately after the fall, our client was transported by ambulance to the emergency room, where imaging confirmed trauma to his lumbar spine. He was discharged with orders for follow-up care, but the pain did not subside. In the weeks that followed, he began chiropractic treatment and later consulted with spine specialists to address worsening symptoms in his lower and mid-back.
Over the next two years, his care became increasingly intensive. He underwent a series of medial branch block injections in 2021, followed by consultations with orthopedic surgeons and pain management specialists. Despite these interventions, his pain continued to escalate, forcing him to make repeated visits to the emergency room when it became unbearable.
In 2022, his treating physician recommended a spinal cord stimulator to help control the chronic pain. After a successful trial procedure in February, a permanent spinal cord stimulator was surgically implanted in April. The device alone carried a cost of more than $150,000, reflecting both the seriousness of his injury and the lengths required to restore some level of function. Unfortunately, even with the stimulator, his pain remained significant, and further injections to his hips and pelvis were required.
Compounding his physical injuries, our client’s inability to tolerate standard pain medications due to allergies left him with no relief outside of surgical and emergency interventions. He was forced to endure pain with minimal options, seeking hospital care when flare-ups became intolerable. The unrelenting nature of his condition eventually led to psychological distress, including anxiety and depression, requiring evaluation and treatment with mental health professionals.
By the time of settlement, his medical expenses exceeded $355,000, with future care anticipated for both pain management and psychological support.
Legal Strategy
The defense initially resisted responsibility for the hazardous condition, suggesting that liability for the fall was “questionable” and raising doubts about whether evidence such as photos or video of the scene existed. Their representatives also attempted to downplay the severity of the injuries and the extensive medical care that followed.
Our attorneys approached the case with a clear strategy: demonstrate both liability and damages in undeniable terms. We built the case around the simple but powerful fact that sand left scattered in a customer walkway created an unreasonable risk of harm, a risk that the store had a duty to prevent. By obtaining the incident report and documenting the hazardous condition, we established that the retailer failed to maintain a safe environment for its customers.
By preparing the matter as though it would proceed to trial, Vaziri Law Group applied pressure that ultimately led to a full policy limits settlement.
Pursuing Justice
After years of treatment, escalating medical costs, and persistent defense challenges, Vaziri Law Group secured a $1,000,000 settlement on behalf of our client. This resolution not only covered more than $355,000 in medical expenses but also delivered meaningful financial support for his ongoing care and future needs.
The recovery ensures that he will have resources to manage the chronic pain associated with his spinal cord stimulator, access mental health support, and maintain stability despite the permanent limitations caused by the fall.
Beyond the financial result, this case underscores a critical principle: businesses that invite the public onto their premises have a duty to maintain safe conditions. When they fail in that duty, the consequences can be devastating, and they must be held accountable.
At Vaziri Law Group, we are proud to have achieved justice for our client and to have secured a result that will help him face the future with greater security and dignity.