Suzanne Naruko, 47, of Placentia, was awarded more than $2.8 million in damages due to a slip-and-fall accident at the Pechanga Resort and Casino. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, Naruko’s attorneys said the schoolteacher slipped on spilled water while entering the casino in May 2013.
Her right foot tangled with her left leg, causing her to fall hard onto the tile floor, according to the lawsuit. She lost consciousness as her head hit the hard floor. Naruko suffered a concussion in the fall, which is a traumatic brain injury.
Her attorney said Naruko suffered from various symptoms, including memory loss, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. She suffers from vertigo as well. Since the accident occurred on tribal land, the case was adjudicated through arbitration rather than a court system.
After five days of arbitration, Naruko was awarded $43,000 in past medical expenses, $1.8 million in lost income and benefits, and $1 million in unspecified economic damages.
The Seriousness of Slip-and-Fall Accidents
When we think about slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accidents, most don’t imagine they could have serious, life-changing consequences. The case of Naruko demonstrates the profound impact a slip-and-fall accident can have on one’s life.
Her school’s principal described Naruko as a “gold standard teacher” with more than two decades of experience. Naruko was traumatized by her decision to leave her job because she could not perform her duties and held herself to such a high standard.
Slip-and-fall accidents do have devastating consequences on individuals, their families, their health, and careers.
Protecting Your Rights
You must take steps to protect your legal rights if you have been injured in a slip-and-fall accident—be it in a supermarket, casino, movie theater, restaurant, or private property.
Please promptly submit a report to the property owner or manager and obtain a copy for your records. Take photographs of the location where you fell, the dangerous condition that caused you to fall, and of your own injuries.
Please obtain the contact information for eyewitnesses supporting your account of the incident. Secure prompt medical care and treatment for your injuries.
Contact an experienced Orange County slip and fall lawyer who will remain by your side, fight for your rights, and hold the negligent parties accountable.
A knowledgeable attorney will be able to get valuable pieces of evidence, including surveillance video, to help bolster your case so you get maximum compensation for your significant injuries.
Brian Chase
Articles and blogs have been reviewed by legal in-house staff. Brian Chase is the managing partner of Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP. He is the lead trial lawyer and oversees cases handling dangerous and defective products that injure consumers. Brian is a top-rated injury attorney with numerous legal honors and awards for his work relating to auto defects and dangerous products. His firm has recovered over $1B for its clients. Brian is a frequent speaker for CAOC, Dordick Trial College and OCTLA, covering personal injury trial techniques.
