Kritzer Law Group Secures Defense Verdict in NYC Bus Passenger Case

Kritzer Law Group Partner Rocco Iervasi achieved another defense victory on November 18, 2024, in a Supreme Court Kings County case before the Honorable Ingrid Joseph. The case involved a 70-year-old plaintiff who claimed she fell while exiting a New York City Transit Authority bus during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The plaintiff alleged that the bus was parked too far from the curb, causing her to fall and strike her right knee on the pavement, resulting in a ruptured patella tendon that required surgical intervention. However, Mr. Iervasi’s defense strategy focused on the Transit Authority’s adherence to safety protocols and established that the operator was not at fault.

Key Arguments Lead to Quick Verdict

Over the course of the two-day trial, Mr. Iervasi presented compelling evidence to refute the plaintiff’s claims:

• Proper Parking Distance: Mr. Iervasi demonstrated that the Transit Authority bus maintained an appropriate distance from the curb, ensuring passenger safety during boarding and exiting.

• Pandemic Protocols: He further established that the Transit Authority was not negligent for requiring passengers to exit at the rear of the bus—a measure implemented during the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic.

These arguments underscored that the bus operator followed all safety guidelines and was not responsible for the plaintiff’s unfortunate accident.

Defense Victory in Record Time

After just 10 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the defendant, dismissing the plaintiff’s claims entirely. This swift outcome highlights Kritzer Law Group’s dedication to providing a robust defense in complex personal injury cases.