Hotel guest says conference room wall panels collapsed, injuring her — $2.185 million settlement

Type of action: Premises liability

Injuries alleged: Left sacral fracture, transverse process fracture at L3, fractures of right ribs and left proximal humerus fracture

Date resolved: May 12, 2025

Special damages: $375,119.44 in past medical bills; $1,036,726.32 in future medical bills

Attorneys for plaintiff: Jason W. Konvicka and Irvine L. Reaves, Richmond, Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen

Description of case: This personal injury and premises liability case arose out of an incident that occurred at a Richmond-area hotel on Sept. 25, 2022.

On that date, the plaintiff was crushed when a 900-pound pair of partition panels in the hotel’s conference room fell on her. At the time of the incident, the plaintiff was a guest of the hotel. She and a colleague were holding a five-day training seminar that was scheduled to take place at the hotel starting the following morning. The conference room could be divided into three smaller rooms through the use of sliding partition panels that were suspended from an overhead track in the ceiling.

Two weeks prior to the incident, one pair of the partition panels become detached from the overhead track. A hotel employee folded the disconnected pair of panels in between two functioning sets of panels, which were located in the wall “pocket” where they are stored when not in use. On the date of the incident, the plaintiff checked into the hotel, and she and her colleague entered the conference room to see how it was configured.

While in the conference room, the plaintiff attempted to use the partition panels to divide the room. While doing so, the detached pair of panels fell on her. The plaintiff’s injuries included a left sacral fracture, transverse process fracture at L3, fractures of right ribs 4, 5 and 6, and left proximal humerus fracture. The plaintiff required screw fixation surgery on her pelvis and left shoulder replacement surgery. Past medical bills totaled $375,119.44. A life care plan totaling $1,036.726.32 included treatment for ongoing urinary incontinence, pain medication, acupuncture and assistance with home maintenance.

The case was initially filed in state court but subsequently removed to federal court. Liability was hotly contested. The plaintiff alleged that the hotel knew of a dangerous condition and failed to warn her of that condition. The hotel alleged that the plaintiff was contributorily negligent for entering the conference room without permission and for attempting to move the partition walls which were safely folded into their storage location. The case settled after two court-ordered settlement conferences for $2.185 million. Motions for summary judgment were pending.

Jason W. Konvicka, counsel for the plaintiff, provided case information.

[025-T-150]