Plaintiff in Vermont Personal Injury Case Awarded Almost $450,000 in Damages

By Andrew Weatherford

Published on May 28, 2009

In a decision earlier this month, a jury in Rutland, Vermont awarded nearly $450,000 to a man who sustained serious injuries in an accident four years ago. Because of the injuries, the man is no longer able to work and requires daily care for his basic needs.

According to the lawsuit, Mr. Joseph Ragosta of Rutland was driving by 11 Meadow Street, a space that was leased to Pins Fabricating, Inc., when he was stopped by an employee at the company. Even though Mr. Ragosta was not an employee at Pins, he was asked for advice on how to move a 3-ton press brake. Mr. Ragosta's attorney said that the victim was speaking to several Pins employees when the press brake fell off the rollers and struck him.

According to Mr. Ragosta's attorney, the plaintiff's lawyers argued that Mr. Ragosta was not solicited for help and that he was trespassing on the company's premises. After the three-day trial, the jury at the Rutland Superior Court found that Mr. Ragosta was 40 percent responsible for the accident but that Pins Fabricating was mostly responsible. He was awarded $449,649 for medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering, future care costs, and other damages.

Comment on this article →