Former pro football player said grocery store fall injured back wins _1.1 M

Former pro football player said grocery store fall injured back wins $1,156,471.96 Verdict: (P) $1,156,471.96 Case Slip and Fall, Premises Liability - Store, Premises Liability - Dangerous Condition, Type: Slips, Trips & Falls - Slip and Fall Case Jerry Aldridge v. Brookshire Brother's Grocery, No. 39,829-06-08 Name: Venue: Angelina County District Court, 159th, TX Judge: Paul White Date: 05-07-2008 Plaintiff(s): Attorney(s):    George E. Chandler; Chandler Law Offices; Lufkin, TX, for Jerry Aldridge Rebecca R. Henderson; Law Office of Rebecca R. Henderson; Tyler, TX, for Jerry Aldridge Kirk Mathis; Chandler Law Offices; Lufkin, TX, for Jerry Aldridge Expert(s):  Carl Hansen Ed.D.; Vocational Rehabilitation; Austin, TX called by: George Chandler, Rebecca Henderson, Kirk Mathis Gary Kronrad Ph.D.; Economic Analysis; Nacadoches, TX called by: George Chandler, Rebecca Henderson, Kirk Mathis Aaron Calodney M.D.; Chronic Pain; Tyler, TX called by: George Chandler, Rebecca Henderson, Kirk Mathis Charles Gordon M.D.; Neurosurgery; Tyler, TX called by: George Chandler, Rebecca Henderson, Kirk Mathis    Defendant(s): Attorney(s):   Amy Long; Zeleskey Cornelius Hallmark Roper Hicks, LLP; Lufkin, TX, for Brookshire Brother's Grocery Scott C. Skelton; Zeleskey Cornelius Hallmark Roper Hicks, LLP; Lufkin, TX, for Brookshire Brother's Grocery Expert(s):  None Facts: On Sept. 2, 2004, plaintiff Jerry Aldridge, 48, an employee of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, was walking in the Brookshire Brother's Grocery store in Jacksonville. He slipped and fell near the check-out counters. Aldridge sued Brookshire Brother's, claiming that his fall was caused by chicken grease that had leaked from a rotisserie chicken container. According to the plaintiff, the "Grab-n-Go" rotisserie chicken display stand was 15 feet from the check-out counters. The plaintiff alleged that the defendant's employees were trained to always be on the lookout for hazardous conditions on the floor, including chicken grease. Brookshire Brother's contended that neither the store nor its employees had actual or subjective awareness of the alleged grease spill prior to the Aldridge's fall. Injury: About two hours after the fall, Aldridge went to an emergency room. He underwent routine conservative treatments for approximately two years, and in March 2006, he underwent a lumbar fusion. In December, he had a cervical fusion. The plaintiff's neurosurgeon testified that the neck and low back surgeries were necessary due to the injuries Aldridge sustained in the fall. The doctor also noted that he had not released the plaintiff to perform any type of work and considered him to be totally disabled. Aldridge played professional football during the early 1980s, and Brookshire Brother's argued that, according to his medical records, the plaintiff had pre-existing conditions involving his back and neck, including a herniated disc. Verdict Information: The jury found for Aldridge, awarding $1,156,471.96. Jerry Aldridge $162,472 Personal Injury: Past Medical Cost $325,000 Personal Injury: Future Medical Cost $75,000 Personal Injury: Past Lost Earnings Capability $594,000 Personal Injury: FutureLostEarningsCapability Post Trial: At press time, a motion for judgment was pending, and defense counsel was considering an appeal. Editor's Comments: This report is based on information that was provided by plaintiff's counsel and defense counsel. Verdict: (P) $1,156,471.96 Case Slip and Fall, Premises Liability - Store, Premises Liability - Dangerous Condition, Type: Slips, Trips & Falls - Slip and Fall Case Jerry Aldridge v. Brookshire Brother's Grocery, No. 39,829-06-08 Name: Venue: Angelina County District Court, 159th, TX Judge: Paul White Date: 05-07-2008 Plaintiff(s): Attorney(s):    George E. Chandler; Chandler Law Offices; Lufkin, TX, for Jerry Aldridge Rebecca R. Henderson; Law Office of Rebecca R. Henderson; Tyler, TX, for Jerry Aldridge Kirk Mathis; Chandler Law Offices; Lufkin, TX, for Jerry Aldridge Expert(s):  Carl Hansen Ed.D.; Vocational Rehabilitation; Austin, TX called by: George Chandler, Rebecca Henderson, Kirk Mathis Gary Kronrad Ph.D.; Economic Analysis; Nacadoches, TX called by: George Chandler, Rebecca Henderson, Kirk Mathis Aaron Calodney M.D.; Chronic Pain; Tyler, TX called by: George Chandler, Rebecca Henderson, Kirk Mathis    Charles Gordon M.D.; Neurosurgery; Tyler, TX called by: George Chandler, Rebecca Henderson, Kirk Mathis Defendant(s): Attorney(s):   Amy Long; Zeleskey Cornelius Hallmark Roper Hicks, LLP; Lufkin, TX, for Brookshire Brother's Grocery Scott C. Skelton; Zeleskey Cornelius Hallmark Roper Hicks, LLP; Lufkin, TX, for Brookshire Brother's Grocery Expert(s):  None Facts: On Sept. 2, 2004, plaintiff Jerry Aldridge, 48, an employee of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, was walking in the Brookshire Brother's Grocery store in Jacksonville. He slipped and fell near the check-out counters. Aldridge sued Brookshire Brother's, claiming that his fall was caused by chicken grease that had leaked from a rotisserie chicken container. According to the plaintiff, the "Grab-n-Go" rotisserie chicken display stand was 15 feet from the check-out counters. The plaintiff alleged that the defendant's employees were trained to always be on the lookout for hazardous conditions on the floor, including chicken grease. Brookshire Brother's contended that neither the store nor its employees had actual or subjective awareness of the alleged grease spill prior to the Aldridge's fall. Injury: About two hours after the fall, Aldridge went to an emergency room. He underwent routine conservative treatments for approximately two years, and in March 2006, he underwent a lumbar fusion. In December, he had a cervical fusion. The plaintiff's neurosurgeon testified that the neck and low back surgeries were necessary due to the injuries Aldridge sustained in the fall. The doctor also noted that he had not released the plaintiff to perform any type of work and considered him to be totally disabled. Aldridge played professional football during the early 1980s, and Brookshire Brother's argued that, according to his medical records, the plaintiff had pre-existing conditions involving his back and neck, including a herniated disc. Verdict Information: The jury found for Aldridge, awarding $1,156,471.96. Jerry Aldridge $162,472 Personal Injury: Past Medical Cost $325,000 Personal Injury: Future Medical Cost $75,000 Personal Injury: Past Lost Earnings Capability $594,000 Personal Injury: FutureLostEarningsCapability Post Trial: At press time, a motion for judgment was pending, and defense counsel was considering an appeal. Editor's Comments: This report is based on information that was provided by plaintiff's counsel and defense counsel.