Case Background
The legal action began in early 2025 when Jared Lopez filed a civil complaint in the Superior Court for the Judicial District of Middlesex at Middletown. The case, assigned docket number MMX-CV25-6044186-S, centered on a personal injury claim arising from an animal attack. Following the initial filing on January 14, 2025, the court set a return date for February 18, 2025. The litigation moved through the discovery and pleading phases throughout 2025, culminating in a jury trial presided over by Judge Rupal Shah in January 2026.
Cause
The dispute originated from an incident on Christmas night in 2022 at a residence in Middletown, Connecticut. Jared Lopez attended a holiday gathering at the home of Nancy L. Newman, located at 1671 Country Club Road. Late that evening, around 11:30 p.m., Lopez sat in the living room when Newman brought her dog, a pit bull mix, up from the basement. As the dog entered the room, it jumped onto the guest's lap and bit him in the face. The legal action relied on Connecticut General Statutes § 22-357, which holds dog owners or keepers strictly liable for damages caused by their animals.
Injury
The attack resulted in several physical injuries to the victim's face and lip. Beyond the immediate trauma of the bites, the encounter left Lopez with permanent and disfiguring scars, primarily concentrated around his chin and lip area. He reported a loss of sensation and feeling in his lip, a condition his legal team described as likely permanent. These physical changes led to significant psychological distress, as the visible scarring caused the young man to feel intense humiliation and embarrassment. The injuries also hindered his general ability to enjoy life and carry out his normal activities.
Damages Sought
In his initial filing, the injured guest requested financial compensation for several categories of loss. He sought reimbursement for all medical expenses already incurred, as well as the costs for future therapy and hospital care. Additionally, he demanded payment for his physical pain, permanent scarring, and the emotional toll the attack took on his life. The legal documents specified that the total amount in demand, exclusive of interest and costs, was not less than $15,000.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Jared Lopez
Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Mark A. Balaban
Defendant(s): Nancy L. Newman
Counsel for Defendant(s): Brian C. Newberry, Esq.
Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel
The legal teams clashed primarily over the extent of the owner's responsibility and the specific details of the evening. The plaintiff’s attorney, Mark Balaban, argued that the defendant had failed in her duty as a dog owner when she brought the animal into the living room while a guest was present. He emphasized that the bite was unprovoked and that the resulting facial disfigurement would affect his client permanently. Conversely, Nancy Newman’s attorney, Brian Newberry, focused on a strategy of general denial. While he admitted that Lopez had been present at the home on the night in question, he challenged the remaining allegations regarding the details of the attack and the severity of the claimed injuries.
Claims
The core of the lawsuit rested on a claim of strict liability under Connecticut law. The plaintiff asserted that because Nancy Newman owned and kept the pit bull mix at her residence, she bore the legal responsibility for any harm it caused. The complaint argued that the defendant had physical control of the dog just moments before the bite occurred, as she had moved the animal from the basement to the common living area where guests were relaxing. The lawsuit claimed that this direct action led to the sudden attack, making the owner liable for the physical pain, medical bills, and permanent nerve damage suffered by the guest.
Defense
In her formal answer to the court filed on January 28, 2025, Nancy Newman presented a multifaceted defense. She admitted she owned the property and that the guest had visited her, but she denied the specific accusations regarding the dog's behavior and the injuries described. Her legal team argued that they lacked sufficient information to verify exactly what had happened during the incident. Furthermore, the defense demanded that the court enter judgment in Newman's favor and that she be awarded attorneys' fees and costs.
Jury Verdict
The trial concluded in the Superior Court for the Judicial District of Middlesex at Middletown. After considering the evidence regarding the Christmas night attack and the subsequent medical impact on Jared Lopez, the jury reached a unanimous decision. On January 21, 2026, the jury foreperson, Shane Holveck, delivered the verdict in favor of the plaintiff.
The jury determined that Nancy Newman was responsible for the damages caused by her dog and awarded Jared Lopez a total of $12,831.50.
Court Documents
