Case Background
The lawsuit arose from a two-vehicle collision that occurred on July 19, 2023, at approximately 12:40 p.m. in Wolcott, Connecticut. Arthur Fil operated a motor vehicle traveling west on Meriden Road. At the same time, Luis Mattey operated a motor vehicle south on East Street and approached the intersection with Meriden Road. The vehicle Mattey drove belonged to Restoration Specialists, LLC, and Mattey operated it with their permission and within the scope of his employment. Westbound traffic on Meriden Road did not face a stop sign at this intersection, whereas southbound traffic on East Street faced a clear stop sign.
Cause
The collision occurred when Luis Mattey suddenly and without warning turned left across the westbound lanes of Meriden Road. His vehicle collided directly with the vehicle operated by Arthur Fil.
Injury
As a result of the collision, Arthur Fil suffered physical injuries. These injuries included a post-traumatic headache, cervical strain and sprain, cervical somatic dysfunction, and neck pain. He also sustained a thoracic strain and sprain, thoracic somatic dysfunction, a lumbar strain and sprain, lumbar somatic dysfunction, back pain, and left knee pain. The collision caused him both mental and physical pain and suffering. These injuries forced him to incur immediate expenses for medical care and treatment, limited his capacity to enjoy his usual activities, and left him facing likely future medical expenses.
Damages Sought
Arthur Fil filed a formal complaint claiming monetary damages. He submitted a statement of amount in demand asserting that the money damages exceeded fifteen thousand dollars, exclusive of interest and costs.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Arthur Fil initiated the lawsuit by issuing a complaint dated April 8, 2024, with a return date of May 28, 2024. Luis Mattey and Restoration Specialists, LLC, responded by filing an answer on August 5, 2024. The case proceeded through the Superior Court system until it reached a jury trial, which concluded in October 2025.
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Arthur Fil
Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Brian M. Flood, Esq.
Experts for Plaintiff(s): Eric Grahling | Jessica Tagliarini | Lauren Batory | Moshe Hasbani
Defendant(s): Luis Mattey | Restoration Specialists, LLC
Counsel for Defendant(s): Juliana Velez, Esq.
Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel
Claims
The Plaintiff brought two specific counts against the Defendants. Under the first count, the Plaintiff claimed that Luis Mattey acted negligently in his operation of the vehicle. The Plaintiff alleged that Mattey failed to keep a reasonable and proper lookout for other vehicles and failed to turn or swerve to avoid the collision. The claim also stated that Mattey failed to apply his brakes in time, failed to sound his horn, failed to keep his vehicle under proper control, and acted inattentively. Furthermore, the Plaintiff alleged that Mattey drove at an unreasonable speed given the road conditions, in violation of state law. The Plaintiff claimed that Mattey obstructed traffic, moved from a stopped position when it was unsafe, turned left prematurely, failed to yield the right of way to westbound vehicles, and ran a stop sign in violation of multiple Connecticut General Statutes.
Under the second count, the Plaintiff claimed vicarious liability against Restoration Specialists, LLC. This claim rested on the fact that the company owned the vehicle and that Mattey operated it as their permitted employee within his normal job duties.
Defense
In their formal answer, Luis Mattey and Restoration Specialists, LLC, responded to each allegation specifically. Under the first count, Mattey admitted he operated a vehicle traveling south on East Street and reached the intersection. He also admitted that he was involved in a motor vehicle accident. However, he denied the allegations of negligence and stated he lacked sufficient information or knowledge regarding the specific layout of the stop signs, the exact actions during the collision, and the extent of the Plaintiff's injuries.
Under the second count, Restoration Specialists, LLC, admitted its status as a Connecticut corporation. The company admitted it owned the vehicle and that Mattey operated it with permission, as an employee, and within the scope of his employment. It denied the remaining operational negligence and injury claims by incorporating Mattey's previous answers.
Jury Verdict
The jury delivered its verdict on October 31, 2025. The jury found in favor of the Plaintiff, Arthur Fil, against both Luis Mattey and Restoration Specialists, LLC.
In assessing fault, the jury determined that the Defendants bore the primary responsibility for the collision but assigned a minor portion of liability to the Plaintiff. The jury calculated the percentage of liability for the Defendants at 85%. The jury calculated the percentage of liability for the Plaintiff at 15%.
The jury calculated the total economic damages at $10,000. The jury calculated the total noneconomic damages at $20,000. These two amounts combined brought the total gross damages to $30,000.
Following the Court instructions, the jury multiplied the total damages by the Defendants' percentage of liability to account for the Plaintiff's share of fault. This calculation resulted in a final award to the Plaintiff of $25,500.
