#22 – $1.5 million | Virginia Lawyers Weekly

#22 – $1.5 million

By Sarah Rodriguez
Published: January 28, 2009

Commercial Pilot Doe v. Hotel

Type of Case: Electrical shock in hotel shower

Attorney: Richard N. Shapiro, Virginia Beach

Summary: An airline pilot suffered an electrical shock from an overhead light fixture in a hotel shower. He lost consciousness and fell out of the shower. Within hours, he had trouble with his left eye that was diagnosed as optic neuropathy and resulted in deterioration of vision in the eye from 20/20 to 20/60.

He also developed issues with fatigue, balance and coordination and is no longer qualified to fly commercial aircraft.

Settlement was reached after the trial judge ruled that the testimony of plaintiff’s expert would be admissible and refused to dismiss a negligence per se count based on the National Electric Code.