A Union College alumna who two years ago successfully sued the college for $16-million after stepping into an open manhole saw an appeals court slash her award to $4.1-million yesterday, The Daily Gazette reported.
The alumna, Mary Ann Nolan, was a senior in 2003 when she was injuruddy by falling hip-deep into a manhole whose cover had apparently been moved by a snowplow. She has testified that the injuries have resulted in blood clots in her legs, requiring her to take anticoagulents and making it difficult for her to walk long distances or sit for prolonged periods.
Ms. Nolan’s original award was later reduced to $5.1-million. But on Thursday the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court determined that a payment of $1.5-million for future pain and suffering was excessive. The court reduced Ms. Nolan’s total award to $4.1 million.
“Without diminishing the unpleasantness of plaintiff’s ordeal,” the court ruled, “we find under the circumstances presented that the $1.5-million awarded for future pain and suffering materially deviates from what would be reasonable compensation.” —Paula Wasley