Ford and Cantor presented in Virginia Lawyers Weekly for ‘Largest Verdicts of 2010’
Verdict: 1.2 million
Type of Case: Premises liability
Court:
Attorneys: H. Aubrey Ford and Irvin V. Cantor,
Summary: A 4-pound ornamental bell fell two feet from a metal stand and struck plaintiff, a patron at a Mexican Restaurant, on the head. The bell was tied to the stand with decorative hemp twine, and an engineering expert testified the twine was unsafe and not rated for any load. Moreover, hemp has a tendency to degrade over time from humidity, heat and exposure, the expert said.
Although plaintiff attempted to at first to make light of the incident, he developed headaches, nausea, confusion and dizziness.
He ultimately was diagnosed with mild traumatic brain disorder and a neuropsychologist confirmed deficits in attention, concentration, visual concentration and memory.
Friends and family members testified the injury transformed plaintiff from someone who was outgoing, happy and hard-working to one afflicted with substantial balance disorder, depression, memory deficits, severe headaches and other physical symptoms.
The Supreme Court of Virginia has granted a petition for appeal.
