A woman in the United States is seeking compensation after she fell down a set of stairs in a Hollywood home.
Actor and actress couple Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy are being sued by Lourdes Orozco, who allegedly slipped down the pair’s staircase in April of last year.
Ms Orozco hopes to receive compensation to cover medical bills and lost wages. If she is successful the sum will come to over $25,000, according to media reports by TMZ that emerged mid-August.
The woman claims that her hosts Ms Huffman and Mr Macy were negligent, and that they should have been aware that their staircase was too dangerous.
No other details are available to-date, and since the accident happened so long ago it will be interesting to see whether her claim will be successful.
Her relationship with the famous couple is unclear, and Ms Huffman and Mr Macy have not commented on the incident.
Regardless of the outcome, this case serves as an interesting example of a slip and fall public liability claim.
Car accident compensation and medical negligence cases often make the headlines, but it is rarer to see public liability in the news.
This may be because many people are uncertain whether or not they can make a case if they sustain injuries from a slip or fall.
The short answer to this question is that it all depends on circumstance, context and of course location.
The incident mentioned above occurred in the United States, where compensation laws are very different.
However public liability claims are made in Australia, too, and there are many lawyers who are skilled in this area of law.
Regulations differ from state to state, but some common examples of where people may be eligible for compensation include slipping over in the supermarket, falling on uneven gravel on a public road, or being injured in the home as a result of faulty workmanship.
In other words, you are only eligible for reimbursement if you can prove that another party was at fault for your fall.
These are only a few examples, however, and it’s advised that you speak to a professional if you want more advice and information.
There are personal injury lawyers in Sydney who operate on a no win no fee basis, meaning that you do not have to pay for their services unless your claim is successful.
These skilled lawyers can also provide you with an initial consultation to discuss your case.
