Defense Verdict In Damages Trial

James V. Deegan successfully obtained a defense verdict after a 5 day jury trial and only 3 hours of deliberation in the Supreme Court, Bronx County before Judge Faviola Soto. The case of Schneider v. Isabella City Carting, et al., arose out of a two vehicle collision on 138th Street when plaintiff attempted a left turn in front of defendant in order to enter the Major Deegan Expressway. Plaintiff claimed to have had a green turning arrow. Defendant, Adam Hernandez, operating a sanitation truck owned by Isabella City Carting, claimed he had a green light in his favor and that plaintiff jumped the light in front of his garbage truck. The trial was bifurcated. Plaintiff had previously obtained a favorable liability verdict with a 55% finding of liability against defendants. The same jury returned to participate in the damages phase of the trial.

During closing arguments, plaintiff requested $6.3 Million; $3 Million of which was for past pain and suffering, $3 Million for future pain and suffering, and $300,000.00 for future surgery and treatment. The jury returned a defense verdict determining that plaintiff did not sustain either a consequential permanent limitation or a significant limitation of a body part or function stemming from the accident.