Stater Brothers
Complaint 54029 Details

I was walking back to my car after shopping on this night. I was near my car and on the blacktop parking area beside it, when I lost my balance, feeling my footing go sideways, and fell. I looked over to where I was walking and noticed there was a pretty deep tire indent and a higher ridge apparently caused by a heavy vehicle's tire set on the blacktop before it had hardened completely. It is difficult to see at night, and I took pictures of it. The Store manager came out and assisted me, also taking pictures. She said I was going to be ok, and then pointed out my left pinkie asking me if it hurt. It was severely dislocated sideways and very scary looking! I am heavy and had difficulty getting up, my hip and knee were hurting me as well. She told me they called for help. I asked if there was a place they sent people to who were injured at their stores and she said no. I was in shock, just looking at my finger, not knowing what to do. She told me not to worry, I would be taken care of. The paramedics checked my blood pressure and it was over 220 and they said I was not able to drive, I wanted to just get help up and take my self to my urgent care. The ambulance guys insisted they take me to an emergency room, in my state, feeling there was no choice, and Staters would take care of this, I chose the one my insurance covers. I filed a report with my insurance co and they said I was on my own for the ambulance and Hospital co-pay. Stater's has a company that manages these claims and they refused to pay, citing that I should watch out for debris and obstacles in my path as anyone should, but there were no visible debris. Within 6 months, the parking lot was repaired and it no longer is any danger. Now I find out that I have until the 6th of Jan 2012 to get a filing in for the ambulance charges to be dismissed, after seeing it on my credit report, and I cannot find a Lawyer to take the case! I am unemployed at this time, I cannot handle this, and should not have to be forced to pay for an ambulance I did not request, and for an injury I was subjected to because of a hazardous and neglected condition of the store's parking lot! I was the victim! Why can I not get help!?