Case Background
The legal action originated in the Superior Court for the Judicial District of Bridgeport. The Plaintiff, Henry Abate, initiated the lawsuit following a two-vehicle collision that occurred in Fairfield, Connecticut. On May 30, 2024, Abate’s counsel officially filed the complaint, setting a return date of July 16, 2024. The litigation focused on a primary count of negligence against the driver of the other vehicle and a secondary count of vicarious liability against the vehicle's owner. The proceedings moved through the discovery and pleading stages throughout 2024, with the Defendants filing their formal answer and special defenses on August 21, 2024. The trial concluded under the supervision of Hon. Judge Welch. On January 14, 2026, at approximately 2:33 p.m., the Court formally accepted the jury's verdict.
Cause
On September 8, 2023, at approximately 5:26 p.m., Henry Abate traveled south on Reef Road through its intersection with Oldfield Road. At the same time, Joseph Signore drove a motor vehicle eastbound on Oldfield Road. Although a stop sign controlled the eastbound traffic on Oldfield Road, Signore suddenly and without warning went through the sign and entered the intersection. This maneuver caused a collision with the vehicle occupied by Abate. Abate alleged that Signore's negligence including his failure to keep a proper lookout, his excessive speed, and his failure to yield the right of way directly caused the crash.
Injury
The impact of the collision resulted in a variety of physical injuries for Henry Abate. Medical evaluations revealed that he sustained a wedge compression fracture of his T6 vertebra and suffered from thoracic radiculopathy. Additionally, the crash caused strains to his cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. Abate experienced persistent muscle spasms in his neck and shoulders, specifically affecting the cervical paraspinal, trapezius, and rhomboid muscles. Beyond the bone fractures and strains, he reported significant chest pain, neck pain, back pain, and ongoing physical and mental suffering.
Damages Sought
In his initial complaint, Abate demanded monetary compensation for the losses he endured. He specifically sought to recover costs for the medical care and treatment he already received and the expenses he expected to face in the future. He also claimed that the injuries left him unable to participate in or enjoy his usual daily activities. While the initial filing did not list a final total, the Plaintiff stated the demand exceeded $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiff: Henry Abate
Counsel for Plaintiff: Christopher J. Flood
Defendant(s): Joseph Signore | Clarence Broadway
Counsel for Defendant(s): Christopher R. van Tienhoven
Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel
Claims
The Plaintiff’s legal team built a two-count case against the Defendants. The first count focused on the direct negligence of Joseph Signore, arguing he operated the vehicle inattentively and violated Connecticut General Statutes by failing to stop at a posted sign. The second count sought to hold the vehicle owner, Clarence Broadway, vicariously liable. The Plaintiff contended that because Signore operated Broadway’s vehicle as an agent or employee with permission, Broadway bore legal responsibility for the damages.
Defense
The defense team denied the majority of the negligence allegations. They argued that they lacked sufficient information to confirm the specific details of the accident and the extent of Abate's injuries. The defense also introduced several special defenses to eliminate liability. They claimed that if Abate suffered losses, those injuries resulted from the negligence of third parties. Most notably, they asserted that Abate himself was negligent by failing to keep a proper lookout and entering the intersection when it was not his turn.
Jury Verdict
After hearing the evidence, the jury reached a decision on January 14, 2026. The jury members rejected the defense's claims and found the Defendants 100% liable for the collision. Because the jury assigned zero percentage of fault to the Plaintiff, the award underwent no reduction.
The jury awarded a total of $36,310 in economic damages. This amount included $6,310 for past economic damages and $30,000 for future economic damages. In addition, the jury awarded $120,000 for non-economic damages to compensate for pain and suffering. The total damages amounted to $156,310. Although the jury foreperson signed the form on January 24, 2026, the Court officially accepted the verdict on January 14, 2026.
Court Documents
