Negligence

Lyudmila Maleva sued San Francisco after tripping on a cracked Gough Street sidewalk in March 2022, suffering head and spinal injuries. She alleged the City failed to repair or warn about the hazard. The City denied liability, citing statutory immunities and comparative negligence. The parties reached a $60,000 conditional settlement, canceling the April 2025 trial.

A Connecticut jury awarded $8,000,000.05 to John Gallagher, administrator of his late wife Maura’s estate, after finding Stamford Hospital and affiliated doctors negligent in her care. Maura, 38 and expecting twins, showed clear signs of preeclampsia before her May 2017 C-section. The lawsuit alleged delayed delivery, mismanaged symptoms, and failure to recognize a seizure led to a fatal brain hemorrhage. The jury concluded that systemic failures deprived her of a chance to survive and caused profound loss to her husband, newborn twins, and family.

A Fresno County jury ruled in favor of Kay Moseley, a passenger injured on a Fresno Area Express bus in September 2021. The bus braked abruptly, throwing Moseley from her seat and causing serious injuries. She sued the City of Fresno for negligence. On August 28, 2025, jurors found the City’s driver negligent and responsible for her harm, awarding damages for her losses.

In Hemispheres Condominium Association, Inc. v. 2000 Ocean Owner LLC, Suffolk Construction, and others, the association alleged that years of nearby tower construction caused flooding, structural damage, clogged drains, and loss of amenities at its Hallandale Beach property. Claims included breach of contract, negligence, and trespass. The defense denied liability, arguing lack of contractual privity and third-party causes. On March 17, 2025, a Broward County jury largely sided with Hemispheres, awarding damages for debris and vibration damage, along with trespass, though no damages were awarded for breach of contract.

In Yamila V. Chavez v. Ariel Travieso, Mariolys Zayas, and John Travieso, a Miami woman was mauled by a neighbor’s dog that escaped through a defective fence, causing permanent injuries and emotional distress. She alleged negligence and strict liability under Florida’s dog bite laws, while the Defendants denied ownership and responsibility. On April 3, 2025, a jury found all three Defendants negligent, held them liable, and awarded Chavez substantial damages for medical care, pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

A Connecticut jury in Rockville found Scott and Sydney Pearson mostly responsible for a Route 32 crash that injured Natasha Tehan. The collision occurred in January 2023 when Sydney Pearson entered an intersection and struck Tehan’s car. Jurors awarded $35,000 in damages, finding the Pearsons 55% liable and Tehan 45% at fault. While the award was modest, it confirmed that Tehan proved negligence and secured compensation for her medical bills and pain.

A Hartford jury awarded over $1.27 million to Daniel and Cristiane DaSilva after a tractor-trailer rear-ended their car on I-84 in West Hartford. The jury held truck driver Bertram H. Cousins and his employer, Bozzuto’s, Inc., responsible for negligence but rejected claims of reckless driving. Daniel received $575,912 in damages and Cristiane $698,088, reflecting the serious and lasting injuries both suffered in the 2018 collision. The verdict recognized the life-changing impact of the crash while stopping short of imposing statutory multiple damages.

In Majolie Augustin v. Tan Pham, a Connecticut jury decided a property injury lawsuit involving a collapsed staircase at a Bridgeport home. The collapse happened just hours after a fire had damaged the building. Augustin fell and sustained multiple injuries, including spinal strains, shoulder impingement, and lasting pain. After hearing from medical experts, reviewing evidence of the fire damage, and weighing comparative negligence, the jury placed 75% of the blame on Pham and 25% on Augustin. The verdict awarded a total of $723,954.91 in damages, reduced to $542,966.18 because of the plaintiff’s share of fault.

A New Haven jury ruled in favor of Owen Chambers in a motor vehicle negligence case stemming from an October 2020 crash on Stevens Street in West Haven. Terrence Rogers and Frank Jackson alleged Chambers caused the collision and their injuries, but the defense argued Rogers reversed unsafely and created the danger. After hearing medical and accident reconstruction testimony, the jury rejected both Plaintiffs’ claims, finding Chambers not liable. The verdict left Rogers and Jackson without compensation, underscoring how fault allocation can determine outcomes in injury lawsuits.

Francisco Genao sued Dr. Dahlia Plummer, Dr. Joseph Santoro, and Danbury Hospital after a stroke he claimed was preventable. He argued the doctors failed to act on scans showing severe artery blockage, and the hospital failed in oversight. After years of litigation, a Stamford jury sided with Danbury Radiological Associates, ruling against Genao. The verdict left him without compensation for his lifelong injuries and marked a significant win for the defense.

On October 7, 2021, bicyclist Spencer Steeves collided with driver Deborah Silvia's vehicle at the Queen Street and Aircraft Road intersection in Southington, Connecticut. Steeves sued, alleging Silvia's negligence caused his shoulder, back, knee, and leg injuries, seeking over $15,000 in damages. Silvia defended, claiming Steeves failed to yield and rode recklessly. After a trial, the jury found in Silvia's favor on November 15, 2024, awarding no damages.

On August 13, 2022, Brian L. Lanoue, a Griswold resident and political candidate, canvassed voters in Preston, Connecticut. He rode with a campaign volunteer, Lucas Johnson, who drove him to homes in the area. Around midday, they entered the driveway of Paul Schulz and Deborah Savage at 371 Route 165. Their property appeared open, with no signs restricting solicitors or canvassers.Lanoue stepped out of the vehicle, walked to the front door, and then moved toward the rear deck when he saw people standing there. On the deck were two large dogs owned by Schulz and Savage. As he approached, the dogs barked and jumped against the deck fencing. According to Lanoue, they either broke through or jumped over it. He turned and ran for safety but fell hard on the ground, landing on his right side. The fall left him badly injured.Lanoue claimed the dogs’ aggressive actions caused him to flee and fall. He said Schulz and Savage were responsible as owners and keepers of the dogs und