Jersey City, New Jersey Venere, et. al. vs. DeBartolo, et al. Docket No. BER-L-012181-95
A construction worker at the Garden State Plaza in Paramus, N.J. who was injured on July 13, 1995 when he tripped on a piece of discarded rebar debris at a construction site during the expansion of the J.C. Penney store, settled his lawsuit last week on the fourth day of jury selection before the Honorable James T. Murphy, J.S.C. in Bergen County for $750,000.
Steven Venere underwent a cervical discecotomy at C6-7 and was unable to return to work as a journeyman plumber. He also had a major psychiatric overlay including depression with suicidal ideation. He had not returned to work at the time trial. Mr. Venere's educational background was a G.E.D. and plumbing apprenticeship. It is anticipated that future employment opportunities would be limited.
Plaintiff was represented by Robert E. Margulies and Clifford Herrington of Margulies, Wind, Herrington & Knopf of Jersey City, New Jersey. There were six defendants, each represented by separate counsel: Giovanni Regina, Waters McPherson of Secaucus, N.J.; John Badagliacca, Garrity Graham Favetta & Flynn, Montclair, N.J.; Joel Bellush of the Law Offices of Joseph Carolan, Fairfield, N.J.; James Richardson, Sellar Richardson, Livingston, N.J.; Richard Maggi, McDermott & McGee, Millburn, N.J.; and Bradley Sclar, Golden Rothschild Spagnola, Lundell & Levitt, Bridgewater, N.J.