Last month Jiffy Lube International agreed to an $850,000 settlement with the family of at 88-year-old man who was injured after a slip and fall at a Chicago Jiffy Lube service center. The serious injuries resulted in the man’s death four weeks after his fall.
On October 16, 2006, Robert Kinzle went to the Jiffy Lube center for an oil change. As he was walking to his car after the oil change, Kinzle slipped on an arrow painted on the driveway of the Jiffy Lube. It had rained earlier that day, and the painted arrow was slippery. Jiffy Lube employees were aware that the arrows became slippery when wet and had previously complained to management about the safety hazard.
Jiffy Lube employees did not call for an ambulance after Kinzle’s injury, even though he said that he was in pain. Instead, an employee helped him to his vehicle and drove him to his house. Once he got back home, Kinzle’s daughter decided that he needed medical care and drove him to Lutheran General Hospital. Kinzle was diagnosed with a fractured pelvis, a fractured hip joint socked, and a fractured shoulder.
When Kinzle was being prepped for surgery to repair his injuries, he went into respiratory arrest which required intubation. His condition prevented him from returning home, and he spent several weeks in the hospital. He was eventually sent to a nursing home. His conditioned continued to worsen until he died on November19, 2006. Before the slip and fall injury, Kinzle was in good health and lived at his house with his wife rose.
The Kinzle family was represented by Susan Novosad of the Levin & Perconti law firm. Novosad said, “Jiffy Lube employees were aware that the arrow on the driveway become exceptionally slippery when wet. As a consequence of this knowledge, Jiffy Lube was obligated to repair the surface for the safety of its employees and patrons. They failed to rectify the situation, or even warn customers of this dangerous condition, before Bob’s fall; this negligence directly resulted in his death.”
According to a press release from the law firm, the case was mediated by the Honorable Judge Michael Hogan, and the settlement order was approved on November 12, 2009 in the Circuit Court of Cook County by the Honorable Judge James D. Egan.
Slip and fall injuries may occur as a result of slippery substance, poor lighting, or hidden hazards. If the management of a business knows about such hazardous conditions, they are obligated to at least warn customers of the hazard. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident as the result of negligence on the part of a property owner, contact an attorney immediately. You may be entitled to compensation. Do not speak to anyone else (like claims adjusters) about your injury, and do not sign any statements regarding the incident. Call MLN Law at 404-531-9700 to schedule a free consultation.