Colo. Supreme Court OKs $10M Award Against Wal-Mart in Truck Driver's Slip-and-Fall Case
Reversing a lower court’s determination that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. was entitled to a new trial, the Colorado Supreme Court today approved a $10 million award to a truck driver who had to have multiple spinal surgeries after slipping on grease while making a delivery at a store in Greeley.
A lawyer for Holly Averyt, 41, of Cheyenne says it is one of the highest judgments ever in a slip-and-fall case, KMGH in Denver reports. She could not return to work, had her truck—in which she also lived—repossessed and incurred about $500,000 in medical bills.
The store did not immediately respond to the station’s request for comment.
A jury originally gave Averyt $15 million, but $5 million was knocked off by a state cap on noneconomic damages.
The Colorado Bar Association provides a link to the en banc opinion.
Earlier coverage:
Denver Post: “Wal-Mart fall victim awarded $15 million”
Denver Post: “After $15 million jury award, judge says Greeley Wal-Mart gets another chance”
Updated at 4:40 p.m. to link to opinion.
