In addition to fractures and lacerations, slip and fall accidents can produce other severe injuries that
warrant serious legal attention:
Falls on broken glass, jagged metal edges, rough concrete, or other sharp surfaces can produce
deep lacerations that require stitches, sutures, or surgical closure. When these injuries occur on
visible areas of the body — the face, hands, forearms, or neck — and result in permanent scarring,
the consequences extend far beyond the physical.
Permanent scarring and disfigurement can cause profound emotional and psychological harm.
Victims may experience anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, and a lasting loss of
self-confidence. In cases involving disfigurement to the face or other prominently visible areas, the
emotional distress component of a claim may be substantial.
Mattoch Kirley takes scarring and disfigurement seriously as a standalone category of damages —
not a secondary afterthought to other injuries.
A slip and fall accident is a personal injury claim grounded in premises liability — the legal principle
that property owners and occupiers have a duty of care to maintain reasonably safe conditions for
people who enter their property. When that duty is breached and someone is seriously injured as a
result, the injured party may have grounds to pursue a legal claim for damages.
Not every fall gives rise to a viable premises liability claim, and not every claim warrants the level of
legal resources that a catastrophic injury case demands. At Mattoch Kirley, we focus on cases
where the injuries are severe and well-documented — where a victim's life has been fundamentally
changed by the negligence of a property owner, business, or manager.
To have a viable claim under Hawaii slip and fall law, four elements generally must be present:
A serious slip and fall accident does not just cause temporary pain — it can fracture bones, require
multiple surgeries, leave permanent scars, and alter the course of your life. If you or a loved one
suffered a catastrophic injury in a fall caused by someone else's negligence, you may have the right
to pursue significant compensation under Hawaii premises liability law.
At Mattoch Kirley, we represent slip and fall victims whose injuries are severe, lasting, and
life-changing. We do not handle minor cases. We focus exclusively on catastrophic injury claims —
the kinds of cases that demand serious legal resources, expert medical evidence, and attorneys
who are prepared to go up against well-funded insurance carriers to fight for what you truly
deserve.
If your fall resulted in a fracture requiring surgery, permanent disability, significant scarring, or a
traumatic brain or spinal injury, we want to hear from you. Contact our office for a free consultation
to discuss what your case may be worth.
Some of the most devastating slip and fall injuries involve fractures that cannot simply be set and
left to heal. Complex fractures often require surgical procedures such as open reduction internal
fixation (ORIF), in which metal hardware — plates, rods, screws, or pins — is implanted to stabilize
broken bones. In severe cases, bone grafting may be necessary. These surgeries carry their own
risks, including infection, hardware failure, and the need for revision surgeries or eventual hardware
removal.
The fractures we most commonly see in catastrophic fall cases include:
If these elements are present in your case, you may be entitled to pursue compensation for the full
scope of harm you have suffered.
Fractures of this severity frequently result in permanent impairment. Chronic pain, limited mobility,
physical restrictions on daily activities, and reduced ability to work are common long-term
outcomes. These injuries reshape lives, and the compensation sought in these cases must reflect
that reality.
In Hawaii's tropical climate, wet entrances, poolside surfaces, and rain-slicked floors are a
persistent hazard. A fall on a hard wet surface can produce hip fractures, femur fractures, and
severe head trauma.
Cracked sidewalks, broken steps, raised pavement edges, and deteriorated flooring create
conditions where a person can fall with significant force — frequently resulting in wrist fractures,
spinal injuries, and facial lacerations.
Inadequate lighting in stairwells, parking structures, and common areas prevents visitors from
seeing hazards. Falls in low-light conditions can produce some of the most severe injuries because
the victim has no opportunity to brace or break the fall.
Slippery pool decks, wet lanai surfaces, overgrown pathways, and improperly maintained grounds
present hazards that are particularly common in Hawaii's commercial and residential environments
— and can produce severe injuries when hard or irregular surfaces are involved.
Trip-and-fall incidents caused by objects in pathways or unsecured cords can send victims forward
with force — producing fractures to the hands and wrists, facial lacerations, and traumatic brain
injuries from impact.
Under Hawaii premises liability law, potentially liable parties may include:
Hawaii follows a modified comparative negligence standard. If you are found to share some portion
of fault for your fall, your potential compensation may be reduced in proportion to your share of
fault. However, as long as your share of fault is below 51%, you may still be eligible to recover
damages. Do not assume partial fault disqualifies you — speak with an attorney to evaluate your
specific circumstances.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique and must
be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances. The information on this page is provided for
general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client
relationship is formed by reading this page or contacting our office. Mattoch& Kirley handles slip and fall cases involving serious and catastrophic injuries. We encourage you to consult with a qualified
attorney regarding the specific facts of your situation.