Jury Begins Deliberation in Construction Accident Case

By Richard Seward

Published on March 14, 2007

On Nov. 27, 2000, Robert E. England, a brick mason with Ed Muller Masonry, fell from a scaffold that was not equipped with a safety railing. The fall resulted in a fractured skull, brain swelling, brain stem injury, and other injuries.

Fairfield Contractors, who subcontracted to Ed Muller Masonry, is the only remaining defendant in the lawsuit. An attorney for Fairfield claims that the brunt of the responsibility for the injuries lies with England and Ed Muller Masonry.

To date, England has accumulated more than $700,000 in medical expenses.

The lawsuit, seeking $15 million in compensation, was filed by Deloris and Bob England, England’s parents and guardians. Since the accident, England has been unable to work or support himself.

The jury will have to determine if Fairfield is responsible for England's injuries in any way. If it is determined that England bears more than half the fault, he will not be able to recover damages.

Testimony lasted for six days before the jury began deliberation.

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