Playground

Case: No. 1187/02
Venue: Dutchess Supreme, NY
Date: 04-22-2002

PLAINTIFF(S)
Attorney: Elizabeth R. Baum; Martin P. Rutberg & Associates, P.C.; Poughkeepsie, NY
Expert: None

DEFENDANT(S)
Expert: None

Insurer: Hanover Insurance Company

Facts: On 7/24/01, plaintiff, a 10-year-old boy, was attending a day camp at Spratt Park in Poughkeepsie sponsored by defendant YMCA. At approximately 4 PM, the camp counselor was conducting a slip and slide activity whereby the children usually took a running jump onto a plastic slide which connected to a hose. The slide would inflate and water would seep though to keep the surface slippery. The camp did not have a slip and slide so the counselor rolled out an ordinary plastic sheet on the unprepared park ground and threw a bucket of water on it. Plaintiff claimed that as he slid over the sheet, a stick protruded from below and cut him. Liability was conceded.

Specials: Medical lien of $365, reduced to $240.

Injury: Laceration approximately 10 cm long between the right knee and ankle. Plaintiff required 29 sutures to close the jagged laceration. There was permanent scarring.

Verdict Information: This case settled before the start of litigation for a structured settlement with a present value of $60,000.