New York Law Journal
April 29, 1997
Supreme Court, Bronx County, April 8, 1997.
JUDGE: Anne E. Targum.
ATTORNEYS: Herbert L. Waichman and Jonathan O. Gill of Parker Waichman LLP, Great Neck, for Michael Dodoo.
Rudolph N. Silas, Brooklyn, for MABSTOA.
DISBURSEMENT: $ 265,000 (past pain and suffering); $ 1.5 million (future pain and suffering).
FACTS: On Sept. 24, 1993, Michael Dodoo, then 15, attempted to board a city bus on his way to school. The doors of the bus closed on his foot and he was dragged until he managed to dislodge his foot. He fell, and the bus then ran over his left foot. There were no witnesses to the accident.
Mr. Dodoo claimed that the bus driver failed to make sure the bus doors were clear before closing them and moving forward. MABSTOA argued that the accident did not occur in the manner plaintiff alleged, and that the Mr. Dodoo either slipped while getting on or off the bus or that he simply fell off the bus.
INJURIES: Mr. Dodoo alleged he suffered dislocation fractures of the left forefoot, which required open reduction with external fixation, surgical debridement and skin grafts.
JURY TRIAL: Trial lasted two weeks, with one hour deliberation.