Lupton v. Liggio: A woman who claimed a T-bone collision rendered her unable to return to work was paid a $900,000 settlement on June 14.
In September 2010, Anne Lupton was driving on West Main Street in Freehold Borough when another motorist, Clarence Liggio, 83, of Matawan, was headed the wrong way on a one-way cross street, Throckmorton Street, according to a police report.
Liggio’s vehicle crossed West Main without stopping and struck Lupton’s front driver’s side, causing her to strike a third vehicle stopped at the intersection, the report said.
Lupton, currently 50, sustained a torn meniscus in her left knee requiring surgery, a torn labrum in her left shoulder requiring surgery, and a two-level lumbar disc herniation requiring a diskectomy procedure and later a fusion procedure with internal fixation, according to her lawyer, Craig Laughlin of Gale & Laughlin in Hazlet.
Laughlin said Lupton underwent 14 surgeries in total.
Lupton alleged her injuries prevented her from returning to work as a school bus driver, and her suit claimed medical expenses of $438,000, as well as loss of future wages and household services in the amount of $480,000, Laughlin said.
The defense did not dispute liability, and summary judgment on liability was granted. The defense did dispute the lost wage claim, contending that the sum was speculative, according to Laughlin.
The parties were through with expert discovery when they settled on May 16 during a conference with Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Paul Kapalko.
Liggio was insured by New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Co., according to Laughlin.
Liggio’s counsel, David Leone of the Carton Law Firm in Manasquan, confirmed the settlement amount.
Loading...