My column last week addressing a question by a woman whose father fell and broke his hip at a supermarket triggered additional questions from readers. Brett in the East Bay asks whether you can bring a lawsuit for injuring yourself walking on an uneven sidewalk.
Paula in the Sunset District of San Francisco writes: “My father was shopping at his neighborhood supermarket last month. It’s one of the national brands. He had to use the restroom, which was in the rear of the supermarket off a hallway that led to the stock area. As he followed the signs to the restroom, he slipped and fell. He is 82 years old and broke his right hip, which required surgery. He is now recovering in a rehabilitation facility. My father does not remember why he fell.
Another shopper was exiting the restroom as he fell. He helped my father and gave him his phone number. I called and thanked him for his assistance. The shopper said there were smashed strawberries on the floor near where my father fell. The event has turned my father’s life upside down. He has difficulty concentrating and is depressed, and his recovery will take months. He has Medicare but is receiving bills. He is on a very tight, fixed income. What can I do to help him?”
Sophie from South San Francisco writes: “I recently moved into an apartment and was taking the trash out at night. I didn’t realize, nor see because the overhead light was out, that there was a curb outside the rear door leading to the dumpster that had been built by the owner to keep the dumpster from rolling, I tripped, fell, and broke my ankle. Is my landlord at fault?”
This week’s question comes from Kimmie L: “Wet weather recently has led to the steps and stairs at my apartment entrance to be slippery. I fell and ended up at the emergency room. Is my landlord responsible?”