Incident Overview
On February 26, 2022, Jewell White slipped and fell on an icy walkway outside her apartment building at 116 Main Street in West Haven, Connecticut. DJ Realty, LLC owned and maintained the property and bore responsibility for snow and ice removal.
White filed a personal injury lawsuit in the Superior Court for the Judicial District of New Haven. She alleged that DJ Realty’s failure to maintain safe conditions caused her fall and resulting injuries.
Allegations of Negligence
White stated that she exited her apartment building and stepped onto a walkway covered in untreated ice. She slipped and suffered injuries. She claimed that DJ Realty failed to salt, sand, or otherwise treat the hazardous area, despite knowing about the icy conditions. The company also failed to post any warning signs or barriers.
White asserted that DJ Realty created an unreasonably dangerous environment through its inaction. She argued that the company’s negligence directly caused her injuries.
Injuries and Impact
The fall caused injuries to White’s left hip, knee, ankle, and foot, along with soft tissue damage. Medical professionals documented her limited range of motion and persistent pain. She underwent ongoing medical treatment and physical therapy.
These injuries impaired her mobility, limited her physical abilities, and affected her daily life and work capacity.
Claims for Damages
White sought compensatory damages exceeding $2,500, not including interest and legal fees. She claimed that she incurred substantial medical expenses and expected to face continued treatment costs. She also alleged that her injuries caused a loss of income and reduced her future earning potential.
In her complaint, she requested additional legal or equitable relief as the court deemed appropriate. She emphasized that the incident significantly impacted her health, financial stability, and quality of life.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiff: Jewell White
Counsel for Plaintiff: John F. Buckley Jr.
Defendants: DJ Realty, LLC | Hall Manor Owner’s Association, Inc.
Counsel for Defendants: Miles N. Esty
Claims
Negligence in Property Maintenance
DJ Realty, LLC owned and managed the apartment complex where Jewell White had resided. As the property owner, the company held a duty to maintain safe conditions on walkways and stairways, particularly during winter weather. However, DJ Realty failed to remove snow and ice or to apply salt and sand to the affected areas. This neglect allowed hazardous ice to remain on the stairs and walkway, which had directly caused White’s fall and injuries.
White alleged that the Defendant had either created the icy conditions or had knowingly allowed them to persist for an extended period. The company also failed to post warning signs or take any safety measures, despite having known the risk the ice had posed to residents.
Failure to Warn
White claimed that DJ Realty had been aware of the danger the icy surface presented but failed to warn residents. The company had not posted signs, installed barriers, or issued communications to alert tenants. This absence of warnings further supported her allegation of negligence.
Punitive Damages
White’s complaint asserted that DJ Realty acted with reckless disregard for tenant safety by ignoring the hazardous condition. The company’s prolonged failure to act or inform residents had gone beyond ordinary negligence. As a result, she sought punitive damages to hold the company accountable and to deter similar future conduct.
Legal Costs
White incurred substantial legal expenses in pursuing justice after her fall. She sought compensation for attorney’s fees, court costs, and other litigation-related expenses stemming from DJ Realty’s refusal to accept responsibility or settle the matter outside of court.
Defense
DJ Realty, LLC had denied White’s allegations of negligence and unsafe conditions at the property. The company also rejected claims that it had failed to maintain the walkway or to warn residents about the ice. DJ Realty asserted that it bore no responsibility for White’s injuries and had argued that she had failed to exercise reasonable care for her own safety. The company claimed that her injuries had resulted from her own contributory negligence. Furthermore, DJ Realty stated that it lacked sufficient information to admit or deny several key allegations and placed the burden of proof entirely on the plaintiff.
Hall Manor Owner’s Association, Inc. also denied liability. While it acknowledged a general duty to maintain common areas, it disputed the extent of that duty as defined by the Plaintiff. Like DJ Realty, the association had argued that White had failed to notice the hazard and had acted without reasonable care. It contended that her contributory negligence should bar or reduce any recovery.
Jury Verdict
On March 27, 2026, the jury ruled in favor of Plaintiff Jewell White in her premises liability case against DJ Realty, LLC and Hall Manor Owner’s Association, Inc. The jury had assigned 85% of the negligence to the Defendants and 15% to White. As a result, the total damages were reduced proportionally.
The jury awarded:
$36,000 in total non-economic damages for past and future pain and suffering.
After applying the 85% liability share to the defendants, the court had awarded $29,750 to Jewell White.
Court Documents
Court documents are available upon request at [email protected]
