$775,000 - Settlement - Premises Liability Plaintiff was shot by intruder in unsecured building

Secondary Case Type: Inadequate or Negligent Security, Premises Liability - Tenant's Injury
Case: James Morris v. Ravine Associates, No. 21661/98
Venue: Westchester Supreme, NY
Date: 02-25-2003

PLAINTIFF (S)
Attorney: Robert A. Hyman; Law Office of Hyman & Platt, P.C.; Pleasantville, NY for James Morris
Benjamin E. Setareh; Benjamin E. Setareh, P.C.; Pleasantville, NY for James Morris
Expert: None

DEFENDANT (S)
Attorney: Liz Mandarano; Lester, Schwab, Katz & Dwyer, New York, NY, for Ravine Associates
Scott L. Haworth; Lester, Schwab, Katz & Dwyer, New York, NY, for Ravine Associates
Expert: None

Facts: Plaintiff James Morris 39, an unemployed assembler for General Motors, was in the hallway of his apartment building when he was shot in an attempted robbery. He brought a premises liability action against the building owner, Ravine associates.
Morris claimed that Ravine Associates had suspended the building's security services six months prior to the shooting. Ravine Associates contended that there was no evidence as to how the assailants gained entry to the building. The assailants were never identified.

Injury: Morris suffered a gunshot wound to the thoracic spine, which resulted in permanent paraplegia. He was initially wheelchair bound, but after extensive physical therapy he developed the ability to get out of the wheelchair for limited purposes.

Verdict Information: The party's case settled for $775,000.

Insurers:

As published in the New York Jury Verdict Reporter May 5, 2003 Vol xx Issue 44