They Need More Lights...
By twoey68
@twoey68 (13627)
United States
November 27, 2007 12:15pm CST
Well, today I am sporting a sore leg, hip and hands. Last night around 6pm my Mom brought me home. It was already really dark outside and as I was going around the back of the car in the parking lot, I stepped into something and slipped, falling onto the concrete. Luckly nothing is broke but I've got lots of lovely bruises on my leg and hip and I scraped up my hands which will take three times longer to heal b/c of my Diabetes.
I managed to get up and hobble inside but today I am so sore. I went to the office to talk to manager this morning and she says "Oh, we've never had anyone fall in the parking lot"--well guess what, you have now. Then I told her they needed to do something about the lighting since the only lighting in the whole parking lot is around the mailboxes and she says "Well, you can write a letter and I'll send it to them but I doubt they'll do anything b/c it's been like this for 11 years but maybe you could carry a flashlight with you"--Yeah, I see me trying not to break my neck while juggling a flashlight with my other things I have to bring inside. It just ticks me off that she was so I-don't-care about it.
I also came to 2 very valuable conclusions last night:
1)If I fell at age 18, it was more like a cheap thrill and no big deal...at 39, my body does not tolerate being hurtled onto concrete.
2) No matter my weight or size, I do not bounce and falling hurts like sh*t.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
**AT PEACE WITHIN**
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
9 people like this
29 responses
@oscarbartoni (2581)
• United States
27 Nov 07
This is a case where a lawyer might be able to get things done. If you at least let them know that you are going to contact a lawyer you might get some better responses. If they do not respond , then really do contact the lawyer about body injuries. If the lawyer writes a letter to them that will usually get the trick done and yo can settle out of court. They do not want publicity about this and a long court case will be very expensive. Good luck and hopefully you are alright now.
3 people like this
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
27 Nov 07
Ouch!! that sounds painful.I fell down a long flight of stairs once and i was also sore for days, with bruses..I know with diabetes you have to be very careful..You are right those apartments should have more lighting, and it is their responsibilty to furnish that lighting...Its good that she will send a letter, but she doubts it will do any good?.. I bet if they got sued they might change their mind a bit..Its not your duty to carry a flashlight, its their duty to furnish enough light for people to see..Some one will come along one day and sue the pants off them, and i bet they will light that place up then, don't you think?
2 people like this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
27 Nov 07
I would write that letter, and send it yourself, so that you know that they have gotten it. I would also tell them about the treatment you got from the manager. I am sure that they do not realize that the lighting is an issue. I would also think that they would want to put a light in, to cut down on crime, as it is getting bad.
2 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
27 Nov 07
I also found out our bodies don't bounce like they did as a childs does. HAHAHA! I have security motion detector lights on my garage so when I get out of my car even in front of my front porch the lights go on making it easier to see. I can't believe an office doesn't have street lights on poles there. I'd write to a local TV station or newspaper asking them to do a story about it maybe to bring it to the publics attention.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
2 people like this
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
27 Nov 07
Gosh I know what you mean about it changes when you get a bit older when you fall. Last winter I was sliding down a patch of ice with the kids when I fell. It hurt so bad and everything was spinning. I didn't want the kids to worry and acted like I was fine but I was hurt.
They should get more lighting back there. That is dangerous. and you are lucky you didn't get even more seriously hurt.
2 people like this
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
27 Nov 07
Ouch! I am glad you are ok. You are lucky to only have some bruises and scrapes. I hope your hands do not take too long to heal. My mom fell last week and broke her wrist.
I love conclusion number 2.
2) No matter my weight or size, I do not bounce and falling hurts like sh*t.
2 people like this
@missybal (4490)
• United States
11 Jan 08
Just because no one ever complained about falling doesn't mean they haven't. I would write that letter anyways because it's got to start somewhere. i thought there were laws that stores had to have sufficient lighting in their parking lots for safty reasons.
1 person likes this
@littlefranciscan (18327)
• United States
2 Dec 07
I think that was very uncaring of your manager to respond that way..She should have shown a little more concern than that. But I have noticed that if there is any sign of injury at work..those in charge are going to want to make excuses like "it's never happened before"
I am glad that despite all your bruises you are able to walk..and the manager should be too..
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
29 Nov 07
LMAO! I know you falling is not funny but your delivery is :)
I hope you are feeling better today though!
Why on earth do they only have lights near the mailboxes??
That is strange!
Well I suppose it wouldn't hurt to send in a letter...or a medical bill for them to claim on their insurance hahaha.
If it makes you feel better my hubby broke his small toe by stubbing it on a chair that has been sitting in the same spot for years...I couldn't help for laughing - esp since he was through his yells of pain LOL.
1 person likes this
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
1 Dec 07
Oh that is just terrible. I do hope your pain is gone now. I agree that as we get older, our bodys do not adjust too well to aches and pains.
They should have more lights out there for sure.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
2 Dec 07
You need to take some photos of your injuries and seek medical treatment and sue for the costs. That will make them stand up and take notice. You could have been more severely injured and been laid off work. I hope you're feeling better. This must have been pretty scary in the dark and all.
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
3 Dec 07
Sorry to hear about you falling twoey. I hope you're feeling better today. It is sad that the office manager didn't do anything more than what he told you to do. With his support it might of had some affect.
1 person likes this
@musicman6 (2407)
• United States
28 Nov 07
Well, since the manager was so inconsiderate, I would make it a point to look into and file a complaint with the people that make those businesses comply with regulations! Maybe the Safety board or something!
Maybe if you put a little fire under their behind, they will move their behind and do something for the safety of others, which I know they are under guidelines!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160708)
• United States
28 Nov 07
You need to get someone to take pictures of your injuries and confirm the date. Then, if you write the letter, send copies of the pictures. It is expensive, but I would also see a doctor if I were you. By the way, even with all of my blubber, I do not bounce, either.
1 person likes this
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
28 Nov 07
I hope you feel better soon. State laws require that public buildings are such that people can have a reasonable liability chances. Do you know who owns the building? Maybe if you could write a letter to him explaining that you think there is some unsafe areas there he may want to investigate.
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
28 Nov 07
I take it you live in an apartment complex or condos? If so, they, by law, have to provide proper lighting to avoid tripping and falling at night. I know it's law here cause one landlord/building owner ended up being sued for alot of money few years back by several of his tenants for not having enough lighting in the parking lot. One even broke his leg and was banged up pretty bad like you describe. You should look into it with a lawyer. I know alot of lawyers will offer a free consoltation.
1 person likes this
@nica269 (1395)
• United States
28 Nov 07
I am so sorry that that happened to you. They should definetly put more lights out there...and if they don't do anything, you should probably seek some legal action - not that I'm saying to sue them, but let them know that you're serious about the light insident.
Good luck and hope you feel better soon.
1 person likes this
@bizmom (515)
• United States
28 Nov 07
OH WOW!!
I hope your feeling better can u take anything with ur Diabetes to help with the pain? :(
I cant believe they didnt care! ID slap them with a lawsuit and get a lawyer ( if u ask me!)
take pics of the parking lot at night to PROVE there is NO lights -- before they decide to put some up fast! *wink*
Take pics of your injuries too!
I can tell you from exerience Diabetics dont heal fast - my mother hurt her foot at work and rather than leave work to get well, she started favoring that foot using her heel more :( which put stress on it all and she eventually had to have that foot to mid shin ambutated!!
I dont mean to scare you but its a fact or Diabetics!
Get a lawyer and or *tenant rep* for helping you with your case against this building! :(
Good luck keep us posted
XX
1 person likes this
