John Knight & Brian Manikowski Obtain Favorable Verdict in Suffolk Superior Court

Morrison Mahoney Partner John Knight and Associate Brian Manikowski recently obtained a favorable verdict in Suffolk Superior Court in a case resulting from the collision of a public transit bus with a building in Revere. The plaintiff, who owned a diner in the building, was almost struck by the bus.  She claimed substantial financial loss as a result of the eventual closing of the diner as a result of this accident, as well as depression, PTSD and substantial loss of earning capacity.  Plaintiff’s counsel suggested to the jury that an appropriate verdict would have been an amount in the range of $165,000.  The defense stipulated to liability and focused on minimizing the plaintiff’s damages in a number of ways, encouraging the jury to set aside any feelings of sympathy for the plaintiff and determine the appropriate amount to award her based upon the evidence presented.   After approximately three hours of deliberation, the jury awarded the plaintiff $10,100, significantly less than the $45,000 pre-trial offer of settlement extended by the transportation authority.