An active member of her church community, our client had brought a homemade cake for a church social event. After handing it off, she turned to walk back across a ramp that had been installed in front of the building. Unfortunately, patch repairs had made the surface rough, and her foot caught on the uneven area, causing her to fall and break her hip.
Hip Fracture Surgery and Treatment
A broken hip is a serious injury at any age, and even more so for someone in her nineties. Our client underwent surgical repair and completed physical therapy. By the time Farah & Farah became involved, she had finished her initial treatment, which allowed personal injury attorney William Oglesby and his team to evaluate the case with a clear picture of her recovery and ongoing needs.
Premises Liability Strategy and Negotiations
The family first tried to resolve things directly with their church’s insurance company. Due to our client’s relationship with the church, the time working with the insurance company was friendly and solution-focused. She and her son care deeply about their church, and both wanted a solution that respected those ties. The only question our client had was whether it was a fair offer for the injuries that had occurred, and so they turned to Farah & Farah to guide them in their case.
Creative Investigation Identified the Hazard
Oglesby and his team at the St. Augustine office examined how the walking surface of the ramp where the client fell had changed over time. Using dated imagery, they mapped a timeline showing repairs to the ramp area and how those repairs left the surface rougher than before. For a congregation that welcomes older members and guests, this kind of change matters, and Will’s team made that clear.
Working To Secure a Fair Settlement
Accepting that the liability centered on the hazardous walking surface, the insurance company’s initial offer for settlement was $80,000, plus a separate medical payments provision. After Farah & Farah’s evaluation, Will encouraged the family to stay the course and seek a more adequate settlement, since the only pushback seemed tied to the client’s age rather than the seriousness of the injury and the clear responsibility for the unsafe condition.
Being aware of the insured’s close ties with their church community, Oglesby helped the client feel confident in their claim and reassured the family that this is why organizations carry insurance.
Respecting Faith and Community
One of the most important conversations in this case was not about numbers. It was about values. Suing one’s own church can feel daunting. Will Oglesby helped the family think it through with care. Insurance exists to address exactly these situations, and a fair resolution can help a congregation care for its members. With that understanding, and with guidance from Farah & Farah, the family moved forward in a way that honored both accountability and community.
An active member of her church community, our client had brought a homemade cake for a church social event. After handing it off, she turned to walk back across a ramp that had been installed in front of the building. Unfortunately, patch repairs had made the surface rough, and her foot caught on the uneven area, causing her to fall and break her hip.
Settlement Outcome for $260,000
When negotiations came to an end, the case resolved for $250,000 on the liability claim, with additional available coverage bringing the total recovery to $260,000. The settlement recognized our client’s pain, her surgery, and her hard work in recovery. It also provided financial breathing room for any future care she may need. Thanks to Farah & Farah’s caring and compassionate personal injury team, the matter resolved without the stress of a trial, and the family could return their focus to health and community.
An active member of her church community, our client had brought a homemade cake for a church social event. After handing it off, she turned to walk back across a ramp that had been installed in front of the building. Unfortunately, patch repairs had made the surface rough, and her foot caught on the uneven area, causing her to fall and break her hip.
Healing the Community With Accountability
Our client is back to her routines with confidence. The resolution affirms what she and her family believed from the start. Caring for one another includes making spaces safe and making things right when someone gets hurt. That is exactly what this outcome achieves, and it is what the Farah & Farah team strives for in every case.
Farah and Farah’s Premise Liability Attorneys Can Help
If you or a loved one was injured in a fall on someone else’s property, Farah & Farah is here to help. Contact our experienced and caring attorneys for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will listen, explain your options in plain language, and fight for the resources you need to move forward.
