Brooklyn Boro

SKETCHES OF COURT: Jury returns liability verdict for plaintiff in premises liability trial

July 18, 2016 By Alba Acevedo Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Court sketch by Alba Acevedo
Share this:

In this courtroom sketch, Hon. Dawn Jimenez-Salta listens as attorney John Corring (standing), trial counsel for the law offices of Albert Cornachio, summarizes the defendants’ position for the jury in the premises liability trial Vashon Parker v. East Central Meats, Inc., Western Beef Inc., and Property Management of New York LLC. At issue was the determination of liability. 

Vashon Parker claimed that he was injured in May of 2013 when crossing the Western Beef parking lot at Myrtle Avenue and Marcus Garvey Boulevard in Brooklyn. He alleged that he was using the route as a shortcut when, in avoiding an exiting livery car, his view of the defective surface was cut off before he tripped. 

Parker was represented by attorney George Constantine (at right), who characterized the owners’ attitude as cavalier in failing to address a hazard that had been in existence for over ten years. He described the L-shaped 4 ft. by 4 ft. pothole as deep enough to swallow a size-11 shoe.  

Corring maintained that Parker had to assume responsibility for watching his own footing, and that the parking lot had been maintained in reasonably safe condition. 

The jury sided with Constantine, returning a liability verdict for the plaintiff. The parties reached a settlement last week, before trying damages in the trial that was resolved in Kings County Civil Term. Court reporter Esther Spielman recorded the proceedings. 

 

Subscribe to our newsletters


Leave a Comment


Leave a Comment