Woman Awarded $450,000

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

NEWBURGH – Videotaped testimony of a doctor in a federal law suit resulted in a settlement in the case of Joan Hawkins was awarded $450,000 for a severe shoulder injury she experienced when she slipped on a sidewalk in front of Lloyd’s in Newburgh on December 21, 1996.

Despite the time of the year, when Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins drove to Orange County to do some antiquing, the roads were clear. As Mr. Hawkins was entering the Lloyd’s Convenience Store off Route 300, she fell on a patch of ice on the sidewalk. “The ice formed because a down spout which was supposed to direct water from the roof away from pedestrian areas, was not there,” said the attorney for Larkin Ingrassia, LLP.

The ensuing law suit was filed against Lloyd’s Shopping Centers, Inc., Lloyd’s Convenience Centers, Inc., Lloyd’s Gas and Service Centers, Inc. and Zuckerman Contractors, the company which built the convenience store and gas station facilities.

Larkin Ingrassia, LLP contended that as a result of the fall at Lloyd’s, Mrs. Hawkins lost full range of motion of her non-dominant left arm. Attorneys for the defense maintained that her inability to use the arm was caused by an earlier injury.

The case was to have gone to trial on Monday, June 8, however, it was settled on Friday, June 5.

Lloyd’s Shopping Centers companies agreed to pay $435,000 while Zuckerman Contractors, the company which built the convenience store, agreed to pay $15,000.

Mrs. Hawkins said she was pleased with the results of the case. Attorneys at Larkin Ingrassia, LLP “demonstrated the confidence that knew we would win the case.”

* Reprinted with permission of the Sentinel