Jury Returns $1M Verdict for Man Beaten by Friend

 Posted on December 22, 2017 in Connecticut Personal Injury Attorney

When most people think about a personal injury lawsuit, an auto accident dispute between two strangers may come to mind first. Or, their thoughts may turn to a slip-and-fall incident at a retail store, leading to months of litigation by the victim against a large corporation and their insurance companies. Sometimes, however, a personal injury case may begin as a disagreement between friends which escalates to unnecessary violence. Such was the case between two college students whose case was recently decided by a Derby Superior Court jury.

A Physical Altercation

According to court documents, the incident took place in April of 2014 following a party at Quinnipiac University in Hamden. The plaintiff was riding in the front seat of the defendant’s car when he reportedly became concerned about the defendant’s ability to drive. The driver had allegedly been drinking and his driving had become erratic. The plaintiff claims that he repeatedly asked the driver to pull over, and the driver got angry and violent, punching the plaintiff in the head.

The plaintiff’s complaint said that driver stopped the car, “got out of the car, put the plaintiff in a headlock, and again starting punching the plaintiff in the head and face.” The plaintiff was able to break free and he ran from the car. The defendant reportedly chased him and continued the assault. The plaintiff’s attorney said that four passengers in the back seat of the car witnessed the attack and tried to stop it. When police arrived at the scene, the plaintiff declined to press charges because the two men involved were friends.

In the weeks and months that followed, the plaintiff said he was diagnosed and treated for a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. The plaintiff filed suit in May 2017 seeking damages for medical bills and noneconomic damages related to his injuries.

Verdict Holds Defendant Responsible

While there was no associated criminal trial for the alleged assault, it only took the jury about 45 minutes to return its verdict following six days of proceedings. Attorneys for the plaintiff believe that the expert testimony of several doctors regarding the victim’s condition swayed the jury who found in favor of the plaintiff. The jury awarded the man more than $22,000 in medical damages and $1 million for noneconomic losses including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Our Firm Can Help

If you or someone you love has been injured due to the actions or negligence of another person, you may be entitled to collect compensation for your injuries. At Woolf Law Firm, LLC, we will help you analyze your situation and determine the best course of action for moving forward. Call 860-290-8690 for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Connecticut personal injury attorney today.

Sources:

https://www.law.com/ctlawtribune/sites/ctlawtribune/2017/12/07/college-student-beaten-by-friend-after-party-awarded-more-than-1-million/

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sR7gYr_3maddRkQQUbMvYdTGt64GvjtU/view