Trip Over Wires Lands Cablevision a $5M Lawsuit

Before Cablevision visited her Riverdale home, 79-year-old Elizabeth Bernd says she was active for her age. But when the cable guy arrived, the Daily News reports, he allegedly "unfastened preexisting wiring that had been fastened together underneath (her) computer desk/station," she tripped over the wires left loose, broke her leg, had a stroke and now is living in a nursing home. Bernd is suing for $5 million, accusing the cable company of negligence noting that she cannot "even talk or eat without great difficulty."

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By Jen Carlson in News on November 4, 2009 5:10 PM

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The 419 King

For f***'s sake, the woman was 79! Brittle bones, ya know?

And I'm sorry but if she had a stroke there must have been something pre-existing in there...

At any rate, I'm sure they'll settle out of court with the ambulance chasers who goaded her into this one.

TheKlaus

My favorite thing about lawsuits is seeing how insanely people quantify themselves or their loved ones monetarily.

inoyourider

Absolutely.

Fuck these BS lawsuits!

"Oh it's SOOOO terrible but give me some money and everything will be okay again"

This whole thing smells like shit.

You get NOTHING!

Spirit of 76

Really? How about the insane $880k of medical bills she's incurred because of the installer's carelessness? How about the ongoing costs of living in a nursing home, where she'll be cooped up for the rest of her life instead of being able to go out and enjoy the great city she lives in? How little do you think of yourself that you wouldn't be too upset if your left side was paralyzed and you can't talk anymore? I guess $1000 would be enough in your case.

TheKlaus

I have a relative that is quadriplegic because of an accident incurred at a music venue almost 20 years ago. Trust me, it hasn't cost him $5 million to exist and he's in way worse shape and needs way more care than that old bag

siccer

An insane $880k in medical bills before or after Medicare/Medicaid/other insurance paid?

Kojak

The court takes that into consideration, but they're usually far more calculating than that. Older people just won't have the chance to bring in as much money as younger people do, so compensation is limited.

Kojak

I agree. She's old and frumpy. She'll get no more than a few hundred thousand.

If she was young and perky, the award could be justified given the longer amount of time she'd be disabled and unable to earn.