Property Owner’s Denial of Responsibility for Injuries Didn’t Work

Montgomery L. and a friend went to a restaurant for dinner. When they were leaving by the back door, another patron was entering. Montgomery stepped back as the door swung inward to allow the patron to enter. The problem was, the property owner had failed to replace a burned out bulb over the door and neither Montgomery, his friend or the patron clearly saw the poorly arranged stairs leading to the basement. Montgomery fell backward down the stairs, severely injuring himself. The building owner denied that the light was burned out and his insurance company refused to pay. But Dianne Sawaya’s sharp investigation of the property and the incident revealed a witness who said the light was off and that the owner turned the light on before emergency responders arrived. The insurance company changed its mind about denying the claim.

Settlement: Commercial policy limits