Amos H. Wise vs. City of Bridgeport

Case Background

On January 8, 2021, Plaintiff Amos H. Wise filed a Premises Liability lawsuit in the Connecticut Superior Court, Bridgeport Judicial District (Case number:  FBT-CV21-6103026-S). Judge Kenneth Povodator presided over the case.

Cause

Amos H. Wise, a resident of Bridgeport, Fairfield County, Connecticut, sustained injuries from a sidewalk accident on January 8, 2020. The incident occurred at approximately 6:45 p.m. when Wise walked on the public sidewalk in front of 706 Howard Avenue. The location had a raised lip in the sidewalk, creating a hazardous, uneven surface. Wise’s foot caught on it, causing him to fall forward. The City of Bridgeport, operating as a municipality under Connecticut state law, bore responsibility for maintaining this public walkway. The City possessed both actual and constructive notice of the sidewalk defect and had sufficient opportunity to repair the hazardous condition before Wise’s accident occurred. Throughout the incident, Wise maintained appropriate caution and exercised due care while walking on the sidewalk.

Injuries

The Sidewalk injury inflicted substantial physical trauma on Wise’s body. He suffered a Type I superior labrum anterior and posterior tear in his right shoulder, causing significant pain and limited mobility. The impact also resulted in a rotator cuff tear, further compromising his shoulder function. Additionally, Wise developed subacromial impingement, which created ongoing discomfort and restricted his range of motion. The fall caused a left knee contusion with hematoma, adding to his physical ailments. These injuries caused ongoing pain, limiting Wise’s daily activities and quality of life.

Damages

The Sidewalk injury imposed substantial financial and personal burdens on Wise. He incurred significant medical expenses for necessary treatments, including comprehensive medical care, diagnostic procedures, and therapeutic interventions. His medical costs encompassed x-rays, various medications, multiple diagnostic tests, and extensive physical therapy sessions. The severity of his injuries necessitated hospitalization, surgical intervention, and the use of specialized surgical equipment. These medical expenses continued to accumulate, and Wise anticipated future medical costs for ongoing treatment. Beyond the financial impact, these limitations restricted him from daily activities, social gatherings, and recreational events, impacting his overall well-being and lifestyle.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

  • Plaintiff(s): Amos H. Wise
  • Defendant(s):City of Bridgeport

Claims

Wise filed a comprehensive legal claim against the City of Bridgeport under Section 13a-149 of the Connecticut General Statutes. His sidewalk injury case detailed multiple failures by the City in fulfilling its municipal duties. The City neglected proper sidewalk inspections, which would have identified and resolved the hazard. They failed to implement adequate measures to ensure safe passage for pedestrians using the walkway. The City did not install any warning signs, reflective markings, or other indicators to alert pedestrians to the dangerous condition.

They neglected to erect protective barriers around the hazardous area of the sidewalk. Despite knowing or having reason to know about the defect, the City failed to remedy the unsafe condition. The municipality did not maintain the sidewalk in a reasonably safe condition for public use. The City also failed to establish or follow proper procedures for regular sidewalk inspection, maintenance, and repair, which led to the persistence of dangerous conditions that threatened pedestrian safety.

In compliance with Section 13a-147 of the Connecticut General Statutes, Wise properly notified the City of Bridgeport about his claim through written documentation dated January 22, 2020. This notice initiated his pursuit of compensation for all injuries and damages he sustained due to the City’s negligence in maintaining safe public walkways. The legal action sought to hold the City accountable for its failure to fulfill its statutory obligations and to secure appropriate compensation for Wise’s injuries, medical expenses, and diminished quality of life

Defense

The City explicitly admitted only two specific elements of the complaint: paragraph 2, which established the City’s status as a municipality organized under Connecticut law, and paragraph 12, which acknowledged the receipt of statutory notice under Section 13a-147 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

The City firmly denied the core allegations, rejecting several critical claims in the complaint. They rejected paragraphs 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, which contained the substantive claims regarding the City’s alleged negligence, notice of the defect, the Plaintiff’s exercise of due care, and the resulting injuries and damages. This denial encompassed the allegations of improper sidewalk maintenance, failure to inspect, lack of warning systems, and all claimed injuries and medical expenses.

For the remaining allegations in paragraphs 1, 3, 4, 5, and 11, the City claimed insufficient knowledge or information to form a belief about their validity. These paragraphs included assertions about the Plaintiff’s residency, the specific circumstances of the incident, the condition of the sidewalk at the time of the alleged fall, and the claimed impact on the Plaintiff’s quality of life. By taking this position, the City placed the burden of proof for these allegations squarely on the Plaintiff.

Expert Witness

Douglas A. Fisher, P.E., conducted a site inspection of the sidewalk along the east side of Howard Avenue, north of the entrance to 706 Howard Avenue, and reported his findings from the inspection.

Defendant’s expert, Dr. Dante A. Brittis, M.D., conducted an independent medical review of Amos Wise’s disclosed medical records, including medical bills, x-rays, MRI reports, and other imagery. He also examined the Plaintiff’s deposition and trial testimony, evaluated Wise’s compliance with discovery, and reviewed his past and current medical history and symptoms.

Jury Verdict

On November 4, 2024, the jury awarded Amos Wise a total of $114,711.93 in damages against the City of Bridgeport in a sidewalk injury case. This amount included $49,711.93 in economic damages, covering medical expenses and other quantifiable losses. Additionally, the jury awarded $65,000 in non-economic damages to compensate for pain, suffering, loss of function, and future impacts. This verdict recognized Wise’s injuries and held the City of Bridgeport accountable for their impact on his life.

Court Documents:

Complaint

Answer

Jury Verdict