Verdicts and Settlements

Couple Accepts $1.7M For Injuries Suffered When Truck Hit Their Car

Calcaterra v. Verizon:A husband and wife accepted $1.7 million on September 11 for injuries in a car crash. Joseph and Mary Calcaterra of Madison were stopped at a Bayonne traffic light in their SUV in January 2001 when their car was it from behind by a Verizon bucket truck.

Joseph’s back and neck were injured, requiring a cervical discectomy and fusion plating. He still has significant pain and disability to his spine. Mary suffered a herniated disk and claimed loss of consortium, according to plaintiffs’ lawyer Michael Forrester, of Perrotta, Fraser, Forrester & Panitch in Clark.

The settlement occurred before Judge Carmen Messano of Hudson County, four days before trial. Verizon was represented by Barry Sarkisian of Sarkisian, Florio & Kenney of Hoboken, who did not return a call by press time.

The driver, Patrick O’Donnell of Bayonne, was represented by senior associate Joel Stroz of Scarinci & Hollenbeck in Lyndhurst. Stroz also did not return a call.

- By Jim Edwards