Debra M. Molfese vs. Gregory Michaels

Case Background

On March 30, 2023, Plaintiff  Debra M. Molfese filed a Rear-end collision lawsuit in the Connecticut Superior Court, New Haven Judicial District (Case number: NNH-CV23-6131500-S). This case was assigned to Judge Ceaser Noble

Cause

A severe rear-end collision occurred on April 23, 2021, at the bustling Milford Crossing Shopping Center in Connecticut. Debra M. Molfese stopped her vehicle at a red traffic signal near 1349-1417 Boston Post Road at precisely 2:17 p.m. Gregory Michaels operated his vehicle directly behind her at the shopping center exit. The car accident lawsuit arose after Michaels crashed his vehicle into Molfese’s stationary car, demonstrating multiple forms of negligent driving. He failed to maintain proper control of his vehicle at the time of the Connecticut auto accident. Michaels displayed clear inattentiveness by not keeping a reasonable lookout for other vehicles. The traffic signal collision occurred when he violated Connecticut General Statutes §14-240 by following too closely and §14-243 by moving unsafely from a stopped position. The shopping center crash resulted from his failure to apply the brakes in time or take evasive action to prevent vehicle collision damages.

Injuries

The personal injury compensation claim detailed extensive physical trauma from this Connecticut Rear-end collision. Molfese suffered severe injuries to multiple body parts, significantly impacting her daily life. The rear-end collision caused new injuries to her lower back and sacrum. She experienced bilateral trauma to both her elbows and wrists. The shopping center crash aggravated her pre-existing conditions, particularly affecting her right hip and both upper extremities. The car accident lawsuit documented how these injuries left her sore and disabled. Molfese endured persistent pain, substantial discomfort, and significant emotional distress. The traffic signal collision restricted her range of motion and severely limited her daily activities. Medical professionals confirmed the permanent nature of several injuries, indicating long-term implications from the negligent driving incident.

Damages

The Rear-end collision case sought comprehensive monetary damages for the vehicle collision damages. Molfese’s claim demanded compensation for both current and anticipated future losses stemming from the Connecticut auto accident. The court filing requested additional equitable relief as deemed appropriate by the judicial system, acknowledging the extensive impact of the shopping center crash on Molfese’s life.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

  • Plaintiff(s): Debra M. Molfese
    • Counsel for Plaintiff: Peter J. Brown
    • Experts for Plaintiff(s): Dr. Ramsey Saba

 

Claims

Debra M. Molfese filed comprehensive legal claims against Gregory Michaels following their car accident at the Milford Crossing Shopping Center. Her negligence claim alleged that Michaels demonstrated multiple forms of careless driving behavior. She asserted that he failed to maintain proper vehicle control, showed clear inattentiveness, and failed to keep a proper lookout for other vehicles. The car accident lawsuit detailed how Michaels crashed into her stopped vehicle, failing to apply his brakes in time or take available evasive actions to prevent the collision. Additionally, Molfese’s traffic violation case cited specific breaches of Connecticut General Statutes, including Section 14-240 for following too closely and Section 14-243 for unsafely moving from a stopped position.

Defense

In his response to Molfese’s complaint, Michaels denied all allegations of negligence and carelessness. For paragraph 1, Michaels claimed insufficient knowledge to form a belief and left the plaintiff to her proof. Similarly, regarding paragraphs 5 through 10, which detailed the plaintiff’s injuries and damages, Michaels denied all allegations of his negligence and carelessness while claiming insufficient knowledge about the remaining allegations.

In his special defense, Michaels countered that any damages or injuries Molfese claimed to have sustained resulted from her own negligence and carelessness. Specifically, he alleged that Molfese brought her vehicle to an abrupt and/or sudden stop, suggesting she bore responsibility for the incident. This defense strategy aimed to shift liability away from Michaels and onto the plaintiff, challenging her claim for compensation in this Connecticut traffic case.

Expert Testimony

Plaintiff’s expert, Dr. Ramsey Saba, an expert from Orthopaedic Specialty Group, P.C. in Fairfield, Connecticut, testified regarding the plaintiff’s injuries from the motor vehicle accident on April 23, 2021. He examined and treated the plaintiff and reviewed all relevant records. Dr. Saba addressed the nature and extent of the plaintiff’s injuries and any permanent disability resulting from the incident. He described the causal relationship between the injuries, permanent disabilities, and the incident, as well as the nature, extent, and costs of the medical treatment provided to the plaintiff. Additionally, he discussed the potential for future medical conditions and the treatments that might be necessary as a consequence of the accident.

On the other hand, Dr. Nathan Carrington, Ph.D., provided testimony on the injuries related to the accident, analyzing the occupant’s response within the vehicle from a biomechanical perspective. He examined the causal biomechanical relationship between the accident and the injuries sustained.

Jury Verdict

On November 6, 2024, after carefully deliberating on the evidence presented, the jury ultimately found in favor of the defendant, Gregory Michaels. The jury determined that Molfese had not sufficiently proven that Michaels’ negligent driving was the direct cause of her injuries in a rear-end collision lawsuit.

Court Documents:

Complaint

Answer

Jury Verdict