Mary Hubbard v. LLC (2010)

MEMORANDUM OF DECISION

This is a two-count civil action wherein the plaintiff is seeking money damages from the defendants, Outreach Property Management, LLC, and Jonathan Reynoso for injuries and losses sustained on November 18, 2008 when a handrail the plaintiff was using to descend a stairway collapsed, causing the plaintiff to fall down the stairs.   The fall occurred at 80 Fairview Avenue, in West Haven, Connecticut on premises alleged to be owned by the defendants.   The plaintiff claims that the handrail and the stairs were defective in several respects due to the negligence of the defendants, and that the defective condition of the stairway caused her to fall and be injured.

The defendants have been defaulted for failure to appear.   The defendant Reynoso is not in the military service.   This court heard this case as a hearing in damages on September 29, 2010.

As a result of her fall the plaintiff suffered an acute strain and sprain of the lumbar spine, acute sciatica, acute headaches, acute sprain and strain of the thoracic spine, and posttraumatic pain of the left knee.   She has been left with a permanent disability of the cervical and lumbar spine, and of the left knee.

She has incurred hospital and medical expenses totaling $8,386.03 of which $4,590.43 has been paid by collateral sources.

As a result of the fall the plaintiff has suffered economic damages of $3,795.60 and noneconomic damages of $25,000.00.   A judgment may enter as against both defendants in the amount of $28,795.60.

William L. Hadden, Jr.

Judge Trial Referee

Hadden, William L., J.T.R.