From Metro Verdicts Monthly: DC, MD, No. VA

Hospital Liable to Patient Who Fell While Getting Out of Bed

A Newport News jury awarded $3,500,000 to Shirley Frazier Burrell for injuries sustained when she fell out of a hospital bed while recuperating from hip surgery. She then required a second surgery. Burrell alleged that Riverside Hospital, Inc. and its personnel were negligent in failing to provide reasonable and prudent care. Burrell argued that her injuries could have been averted had the hospital placed her in a room closer to the nurses' station, activated her built-in bed alarm and/or provided her with a sitter or soft restraints to keep her from exiting the bed unassisted. The hospital denied liability and disputed the severity of the claimed damages. Based on the age of the plaintiff, the hospital argued that future damages were limited.

Burrell v. Riverside Hospital
Newport News VA

Woman Awarded Damages Against Sister for Invasion of Privacy

Mandisa Mazibuko sued her sister, Itumeleng Tlhapane, for invasion of privacy arising out of Tlhapane's attempt to use private personal information against Mazibuko in another legal matter, which stemmed from an underlying family dispute. According to Mazibuko, her sister obtained her banking and other personal information, which Tlhapane attempted to use against Mazibuko in unsuccessful litigation. Mazibuko sought damages for emotional distress and attorney's fees. Tlhapane did not file an answer to the complaint and a default judgment was entered against her. Following a bench trial on damages, the trial judge awarded $84,871 to Mazibuko.

VIEW THE FULL CASE Mazibuko v. Tlhapane
Montgomery County, MD

Nurse Who Fell in Elevator Wins Lawsuit Against Cleaning Company

A Howard County jury awarded $1.8M to Rondra Marcelli, who claimed she fell in an elevator due to the negligence of a cleaning company. Marcelli was a nurse employed in a building owned by Howard County and maintained by Capital Cleaning Concepts, Inc. Marcelli slipped and fell in a wet substance as she stepped into the elevator. According to Marcelli, the cleaning company employees had cleaned the elevator within minutes of her using it. Marcelli asserted that she suffered lumbar disc herniations and a rotator cuff injury as a result of the fall. Capital Cleaning argued there was no proof the wet substance was created by its employees. It also argued that any damp mopping done in the elevator was performed at least 25 minutes prior to Marcelli's fall and that the floor was not wet as a result of their work. Injury causation was also disputed. Post-verdict, the jury's award was reduced to the ad damnum of $1.5M.

VIEW THE FULL CASE Marcelli v. Capital Cleaning
Howard County, VA