What should have been a routine trip to the grocery store turned into a life-altering injury for a 77-year-old Cathy*. While shopping at a regional supermarket, an employee stepped backward without warning and collided with her, knocking her to the ground. In an instant, a simple errand became the beginning of a long and painful medical journey.
Moments like this change everything. And too often, large corporations and their insurance companies count on victims to quietly accept the consequences.
At Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we believe in standing up for the underdog and leveling the playing field when powerful companies try to minimize the harm they’ve caused.
Attorney Ryan McCullar in our Myrtle Beach office brought in seasoned trial lawyer Melissa Mosier in our Columbia office to step in to protect Cathy’s rights and fight for the full compensation she deserved.
A Devastating Shoulder Injury and Difficult Recovery
The fall caused a severe and complex fracture of Cathy’s right shoulder, involving the humeral head and neck. Initially, doctors attempted conservative treatment, but the injury failed to heal properly. As her condition worsened, it became clear that surgery was unavoidable.
She underwent a right reverse total shoulder arthroplasty and biceps tenodesis, a major procedure that marked the beginning, not the end, of her recovery. In the months that followed, she attended dozens of medical appointments and physical therapy sessions, tirelessly working to regain strength and mobility in her dominant arm.
Sadly, progress never came as hoped.
Instead, Cathy continued to experience weakness, limited motion, and an inability to lift her arm above her waist. Over time, new complications emerged. Imaging revealed that the shoulder replacement had loosened and that significant bone loss had developed.
Nearly a year after her first surgery, she was forced to undergo a second major operation. The revision procedure ultimately required converting Cathy’s joint to a hemiarthroplasty due to the extent of the damage.
Even after everything she endured, 33 doctor visits, nearly 50 physical therapy sessions, and two invasive surgeries, she never regained full use of her arm. More than 18 months later, she continued to struggle with basic tasks, often relying on her husband for help with everyday activities. These were supposed to be their Golden Years, but instead of leaving the grocery store together to prepare food later that day, they left in an ambulance with an uncertain future.
A Case Complicated by Medical Setbacks and Strong Defense
From the start, this case was anything but straightforward. Cathy’s injury involved a complicated fracture pattern that carried a risk of serious complications, including bone death due to disrupted blood supply. Her recovery was further complicated by wound healing issues, nerve symptoms, and significant muscle weakness that prevented her from lifting her arm.
The second surgery revealed even more severe problems. Surgeons discovered extensive bone loss that made a standard repair impossible, and her shoulder remained unstable during recovery, at times “popping out” during physical therapy.
While she was fighting through these medical challenges, another battle was unfolding on the legal side. The defendant was a large commercial grocery chain backed by a full legal team and multiple layers of insurance coverage. As is often the case, the defense had the resources to aggressively challenge the extent of her injuries and the value of her claim.
However, one critical piece of evidence solidified the case: the incident had been captured on video. The footage clearly showed the employee stepping back into her, leaving little doubt about how the fall occurred.
Attorneys Ryan McCullar and Melissa Mosier built a strong case around this evidence, with Melissa taking the additional step of deposing the employee who caused Cathy’s fall and showing that there was no other cause to their customer’s injury other than the supermarket employee walking right into her path. Melissa also carefully worked with their client and her medical team to document the full scope of her injuries, complications, and long-term limitations and linked them back to the accident.
Holding the Responsible Party Accountable
With clear liability and compelling medical evidence, the legal team focused on telling Cathy’s full story, not just of the fall itself, but of everything that followed. This was not a minor injury. It was a life-changing event that resulted in permanent impairment, ongoing pain, and a significant loss of independence.
They worked to ensure that the case reflected the true impact of her injuries, including her medical expenses, future care needs, and the emotional and physical toll of losing the use of her dominant arm.
A $650,000 Settlement and a Measure of Security
The case ultimately resolved with a $650,000 settlement. While no amount of money can undo what happened to Cathy, the recovery provides meaningful financial support for her continued medical care and helps ease the burden of the challenges she now faces daily.
Cathy’s life looks very different than it did before that day in the grocery store. Tasks that were once second nature now require assistance, and her independence has been significantly impacted. But the outcome of her case ensures she is not left to navigate those challenges alone.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you don’t have to face it alone. Contact Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers today for a free case evaluation. There are no upfront costs, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
*Client’s name changed to protect their privacy.
Disclaimer: Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
