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Personal Injury (Vehicular)
Auto v. Pedestrian
Negligence

MaryAnn Stafford v. State of Washington

Published: Mar. 8, 2001 | Result Date: Oct. 9, 2000 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: 972070789 Verdict –  $652,350

Court

Pierce Superior


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Stephen L. Bulzomi

John R. Christensen


Defendant

Michael Nicefaro

David Pearson


Experts

Plaintiff

Bradford Henley
(medical)

Douglas Henel
(medical)

Facts

The plaintiff, a 59-year-old homemaker, was a passenger in a vehicle driving northbound Interstate 5 from
Mossyrock. The plaintiff contended that the vehicle died on the Nisqually River bridge.
The plaintiff and the driver parked on the right shoulder of Interstate 5, north of the Nisqually River bridge.
The plaintiff decided to walk for help to services south of the bridge. It was a dark, windy and rainy night.
The Nisqually River Bridge had a sidewalk along its south side, but the defendant had removed connections
between the sidewalk and the shoulder during the 1971 retrofit of the bridge and approaches. The plaintiff
contended that she saw the sidewalk and tried to climb over the jersey barrier to reach the sidewalk and fell
over 20 feet to the ground.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff demanded $200,000. The defendant made no offer.

Injuries

Two spinous process fractures, fractured right wrist, dislocation and fracture of left elbow.


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