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The defense’s first offer for Nancy Rodriguez was “She would treat and take some time off and
$12,000 and it was $18,000 for her daughter, Nasser then treat again,” Nasser said. “The defense made
said. it sound like she was okay. Our response was that
Since the bench trial took place in February, about she was a mother with three kids and had a full-time
a month before the courts were job. She couldn’t, because of life
closed due to COVID-19, the trial circumstances, run to the doctor
was held in the judge’s courtroom. everyday.”
“The strength of the case was According to Nasser and the
the testimony of the two women,” May 2018 lawsuit filed in Dan-
said Nasser, who noted that both bury Superior Court, Abreu
women testified for 90 minutes Kowalski issued his Andrade rear-ended the Rodri-

each. ruling for the plaintiff’s guez vehicle in Danbury in June

To combat the defense expert, on Monday. He awarded 2016. Andrade was issued an in-
Nasser said, he showed the judge fraction for following two closely.
photos of the totaled car and pre- $98,800 to driver Nancy Nasser said Nancy Rodrgiuez
sented medical evidence from has surgery to her left knee, while
doctors of the injuries to the women. Rodriguez and $326,084 her daughter had surgery to her
The defense expert had maintained to her daughter, passenger left hip.
the injuries to the women occurred Alexa Rodriguez. The total
prior to the accident. Both women, Nasser said, still
amount awarded to the have limitations more than four
family was $424,884.

“But, when you see the picture years after the accident.
of the car, you say to yourself was Nancy Rodriguez, who is in her
the defense expert crazy?” Nasser 40s, can’t run or stand for a long
said. “This wasn’t a fender-bend- period of time, Nasser said. “She
er. The car was totaled.” also loved to dance; she can’t do
During the bench trial, Nasser that anymore,” he said.
said, he asked the women if they’d Twenty-one year old Alexa
been injured prior to the accident. The daughter, he Rodriguez, her attorney said, still has pain and dis-
said, said no. The mother, Nancy Rodriguez, Nasser comfort in her left hip “on a daily basis.”
said, had some back and arm issues prior due to her job Representing the defense is Keith Sturgess of the
picking up children as a day care worker. Nancy Rodri- Law Office of Meehan, Roberts, Turret & Rosen-
guez, her attorney said, sustained lower back injuries baum in Wallingford. He didn’t respond to a request
and injuries to her knee and arm from the accident. for comment Friday.
“We identified each injury and told the judge that, In court pleadings, the defense left it to the plain-
in the case of Nancy Rodriguez, they were exacer- tiff ’s side to prove their case in court.
bated because of the collision. Specifically, her knee ¦

required surgery. The knee injury was exacerbated Robert Storace covers legal trends, lawsuits and
because of the accident,” Nasser said. analysis for the Connecticut Law Tribune. Follow
Another pushback from the defense dealt with him on Twitter @RobertSCTLaw or reach him at
Nancy Rodriguez’s gaps in medical treatment. 203-437-5950.

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