A Fast-food Fall with
a Meaningful Payout 

Justin successfully resolved the case for a total settlement of $525,000, including medical care.

Justin’s client, J.C., worked as an auto glass installer. He needed to deliver a car part but because his customer's business was located on a busy road under construction, J.C. was forced to park at the adjacent business, Jack in the Box. Unfortunately, the restaurant had a dangerous one foot-deep hole in the pavement that they had refused to fix. Instead, management directed employees to roll a trash can over the hole. On the day that J.C. walked through the area, the hole did not have the trash can covering it. J.C. did not see the hole, and his right leg went into the hole, up to his knee. The force of the fall completely tore John’s rotator cuff. He reported the injury to Jack in the Box, but they dismissed it. Justin assisted J.C. in getting insurance coverage and locating a specialist to surgically repair his damaged shoulder. Lawyers for Jack in the Box argued that they could not be liable because John was a “trespasser.” But the judge disagreed: Justin obtained a ruling in King County Superior Court that Jack in the Box owed J.C. the highest duty of care. After this successful ruling, Justin settled the case for $525,000.