Connecticut Partner Prevails in Premises Liability Case

Simsbury Partner Richard A. Lord, Jr. recently obtained a defense verdict on behalf of our beverage shop client in a premises liability case in the New Haven Judicial District Courthouse.

Plaintiff was an individual who was shopping in our client’s beverage shop when they tripped on a step, and then fell while walking down a staircase and sustained a broken ankle. Subsequently, Plaintiff filed suit claiming that our client failed to warn them of the allegedly defective step, that the specific step in question did not provide an adjacent handrail, and also that the lighting in the area where the incident took place was inadequate. Additionally, Plaintiff’s counsel alleged that the Defense intentionally destroyed surveillance footage that would have provided proof of the incident.

At trial, our partner, Rich Lord, was able to show that our client’s step in question was not defective, and that a handrail in this area was not necessary. Our partner also confirmed that Plaintiff’s own inattentiveness caused their misstep and consequent injury. Furthermore, Rich proved that our client’s DVR system had a pre-set internal 14-day tape over period. Therefore, when the Defense attempted to retrieve the footage of the incident for discovery, the DVR system had already recorded over that date, refuting Plaintiff’s claim that our client intentionally destroyed surveillance footage.

In December 2023, the jury agreed with our partner and returned a defense verdict in favor of our client.

Rich handles premises liability matters and claims involving negligent security, wrongful death and catastrophic injuries. He also defends uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage benefits, automobile claims, personal injury actions, as well as professional malpractice matters.