Community Corner
Estate, Relatives of Pelham Manor Family Killed in Accident Seeks $15M from Conn.
Suit claims the state of Connecticut failed to properly inspect the tree fell on Joseph J. Stavola, 46, of Pelham Manor, in 2007 while he was driving on the Merritt Parkway. Stavola and his wife, Jeanne C. Serocke-Stavola, died in the crash.
The Hartford Courant is reporting that the family and estate of a Pelham Manor couple who died in 2007 when a tree fell on their car on the Merritt Parkway in Westport, Conn. is seeking $15 million from the state.
Joseph J. Stavola, 46, and his wife Jeanne C. Serocke-Stavola, 44, were driving a Volvo XC90 SUV on the parkway on June 9, 2007, when a tree toppled off the road and smashed the roof and windshield of the car. The Stavolas were killed in the accident. Their two sons, who were 7 and 9 at the time of the crash, sat in the backseat and suffered cuts and bruises from the accident.
David G. Hill, a Connecticut-based lawyer representing the Stavolas’ relative, is claiming that state officials were negligent and failed to properly inspect the tree, which suffered from decay.
Hill filed claims seeking $6 million for Joseph Stavola's estate and $5 million for the estate of Jeanne Serocke-Stavola's estate for pre-mortem pain and suffering, and lost wages and earning capacity. Hill is also seeking $2 million for each son due the emotional distress and mental anxiety they suffered fro watching their parent die.
You can read more from Jon Lender’s article here.
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