Premises Liability – Delivery driver injured by porch decking collapse

$950,000 settlement

Injuries alleged: Cervical disc fusion, dysphagia

Date resolved: May 21, 2026

Amount: $950,000

Special damages: $276,949.22

Attorney for plaintiff: Penn Crawford, Richmond, The Johnson Injury Firm

Case description: The plaintiff, a delivery driver, was making a routine delivery to a Richmond residential rental when the wooden decking of a shared front porch gave way beneath him. His right leg punched through the rotted boards up to his groin, twisting his upper body as he fell backward onto the steps.

What began as bruising and right-sided pain developed into a chronic shoulder injury and cervical radiculopathy that ultimately required a multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, followed by surgical complications affecting his swallowing and voice.

The plaintiff, previously active and working full-time, was left with permanent lifting restrictions and lasting limitations. The defense walked out of a pre-suit mediation with a final offer of $350,000, litigation ensued, and the matter was ultimately settled for $950,000 out of the $1 million in coverage.