Attorney Mike Bigos recently tried two premises cases within twelve months, winning multiple-six-figure jury verdicts. Each of the verdicts were multiples above what the insurance companies had previously offered. Large jury verdicts are helpful to everyone in negotiating higher case values and assessing the potential value.
Premises Jury Verdict: $830,000
Catherine E. Steele v. Budget Document Technology
Non-possessory Premises Liability (trip over negligently abandoned toolbox)
Plaintiff: Catherine E. Steele, represented by Michael Bigos, Esq. and Joseph Gousse, Esq. of Berman & Simmons
Defendant: Budget Document Technology represented by Gregory Patient, Esq. and Johnathan Liberman, Esq. of Judy Metcalf Law
Injuries: $87,413.25 past medical expenses (R radial fx; R elbow dislocation; Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS); R shoulder pain; and neck pain); wage loss
Defenses: Comparative negligence; failure to mitigate; pre-existing condition; subsequent intervening event; credit for advance payments; and failure to state a claim
Jury Verdict: $830,000 less $207,500 comparative reduction, plus $200,000 in interest and costs
Court: Oxford County Superior Court (Archer, J.)
Premises Jury Verdict: $747,077
Reichen Kuhl v. Charles Case and Catriona Case
Negligence; Premises Liability (Defendant asked Plaintiff to help secure boat, but did not warn of known dangers of dock, resulting in fall from dock into lake)
Plaintiff: Reichen Kuhl, represented by Michael Bigos, Esq. and Joseph Gousse, Esq. of Berman & Simmons
Defendant: Charles and Catriona Case, represented by Kenneth Pierce, Esq. of Monaghan Leahy
Injuries: $44,601.88 past medical expenses (L5 disc herniation; acetabular labral tear)
Defenses: Comparative negligence; failure to mitigate; subsequent intervening event
Jury Verdict: $747,077.63 ($740,601.88 less $116,000.00 for comparative, plus $122,475.75 interest & costs (plus pre 4.53%; post-10.88%))
Court: Oxford County Superior Court (Woodman, J.)