A lawyer is suing the law school that gave her a prestigious award, as the faulty platform they built for her to stand on caused her to fall and injure herself during her acceptance speech, as reported by the Courthouse News Service.
The award-winning lecturer completed her speech though her foot would later be found to be broken.
D.S., a professor of international law at The George Washington University Law School, is the first woman to be awarded the Myres S. McDougal Distinguished Lecturer in International Law. The award was presented by the University of Denver's Sturm College of Law in 2011.
Both the University and the law school are named as defendants in the lawsuit. Denver-based attorney Bruce Kaye is representing D.S. in the suit.
According to the lawsuit, D.S. attended a formal dinner party at the school campus to receive her honorarium.
The suit states, "Defendants assumed all control and responsibility for organizing, promoting, arranging and managing the event at which Professor (D.S.) was honored. Among other things, defendants set up the room…set up the dining tables, raised platform and podium…While Professor (D.S.) was giving her lecture, she stood on the raised platform and behind the podium. Professor (D.S.) stepped back to put a glass of water on the shelf of the podium. When she did so, she fell off the podium and seriously injured her foot."
The suit further alleges that it was the way that he platform and podium had been set up that caused the injury. According to the suit, "Defendants could have eliminated the dangerous condition on the property or taken reasonable steps to protect against the dangerous condition on the property. Defendants were advised by one or more witnesses shortly after Professor (D.S.'s) fall that the raised platform and podium at the McDougal lecture was dangerous and caused Professor (D.S.'s) fall."
After receiving medial attention it was determined that D.S. suffered with a calcaneal (heel) fracture.
The award ceremony was among many events D.S. was scheduled to attend. According to the lawsuit D.S.'s "professional activities involve extensive traveling…Her injury has made it very difficult to travel...more uncomfortable and painful for Professor (D.S.) to meet her professional obligations. Professor (D.S.'s) law school campus is likewise extensive and consists of a number of buildings and lots of stairs. Her foot injury has made it difficult and painful to negotiate her campus. Professor (D.S.) is often called upon by nonprofit organizations to advise, consult, lecture and otherwise participate in conferences, investigations and meetings. These nonprofit organizations lack the financial resources to pay for the necessary travel upgrades required to minimize the discomfort and pain to Professor (D.S.'s) injured foot. Often, Professor (D.S.) has needed to pay for additional leg room or other accommodations for her foot injury that cannot be provided by the nonprofit organizations."
The suit seeks over $100,000 for negligence and premises liability.
Injuries can often occur through no fault of the injured party. If you have been hurt due to the negligence of another party contact a personal injury lawyer for help today. Oftentimes monetary awards are considered for your pain and suffering.