Orit Greenberg, an audience member at a taping of the “Oprah Winfrey Show” on December 5, 2006, is suing Harpo Studios for personal injury.
Greenberg says that she suffered serious and permanent injuries when she fell down a flight of stairs during a mad rush by audience members to secure the best seats.
Greenberg is asking for $50,000 in damages. She says that Harpo Studios neglected to control audience members, who were told that they could sit wherever they wanted. The patrons, who had been in a waiting area, “rushed the gate” and pushed and shoved inro each other as they entered the studio.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can lead to serious injuries, including broken bones and head injuries. It is the responsibility of a property or business owner to make sure that there are no conditions on a premise that can allow a person to slip or trip and fall. These types of accidents can be more serious than they sound, and the medical costs and time necessary for recovery can be lengthy.
Slip and fall accidents can be occur because of poorly lit hallways, damaged staircases, uneven sidewalks, debris or liquids left on the floor, and other unsafe conditions that can cause a person to slip and fall.
To prove liability in a slip and fall case, the plaintiff must prove that the owner or manager of the property caused the condition that resulted in the slip and fall accident, knew about the hazardous condition but did nothing to remedy the situation, or should have known about the unsafe condition and done something to fix it.
The statute of limitations for filing a slip and fall lawsuit in Massachusetts is three years from the time of the injury accident. There are certain cases, however, where the plaintiff may have to notify a property owner of the sip and fall accident right away to stay eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit-there may be even stricter notice requirements if your slip and fall accident occurred on a public premise.
Audience member sues Oprah’s company after fall down stair, Suntimes.com, March 19, 2008
Slip and Fall/Premises Liability, CBS.com, March 23, 2008
Related Web Resources:
Slip and Fall, Nolo.com
Harpo Productions, Encyclopedia of Chicago