PREMISES LIABILITY

LEE CIRCUIT COURT

A jury decided a North Fort Myers movie theater and one of its patrons were equally liable when the theatergoer fractured an ankle.

Beth Williams, 56 at the time of the September 2015 accident, claimed she fell on steps leading from the theater's back row to an aisle. She claimed the step's nosing was two large and the theater was not properly lighted.

The defense contended Williams fell because she chose to leave her seat while the theater was dark. The jury awarded $60,000. The award was halved to account for Williams' share of the liability, but a post-trial settlement, reached after the defense moved to recover costs, resulted in a take-nothing judgment.

Case: Williams v. AMC Entertainment

Case No.: 17-CA-000600

Plaintiff attorneys: Justin Hales and Dennis L. Webb, Law Offices of Dennis L Webb, Fort Myers

Defense attorney: Misty Chaves, King & Chaves, West Palm Beach