Case Background
On October 4, 2020, a Sunday afternoon in Trumbull, Connecticut, Glynn Jordan visited the home of Peter and Veronica Christy at 16 Briar Hill Road. What began as a simple visit turned into a serious accident. Jordan attempted to climb a staircase on the Christys’ property that led to a patio beside the house. The stairs had no handrail, and the patio had no protective railing along its edge. As Jordan climbed, he lost balance, fell, and suffered major injuries.
Jordan later filed a lawsuit against the Christys in Superior Court, Fairfield Judicial District. He claimed that the homeowners failed to keep their property safe and that their negligence directly caused his fall. The Christys, in turn, denied responsibility and argued that Jordan bore blame for his own accident. The case went through years of filings, discovery, and motions before reaching a jury in 2024.
Cause that led to the dispute
The case turned on the condition of the staircase and patio on the Christy property. Jordan said the fall happened because the steps had no handrail and the adjoining patio lacked guardrails. He argued that the homeowners created or allowed a hazardous condition, failed to correct it, and instructed him to use the staircase despite knowing its risks.
The Christys, however, denied negligence. They insisted the property was reasonably safe and suggested Jordan failed to exercise care while walking. In their view, his own inattentiveness not the design of the steps caused the accident.
Injuries suffered
The fall left Jordan with severe physical harm. He struck his head, which caused dizziness and ongoing neurological symptoms. More seriously, he fractured his left lower leg, which required surgery and hospitalization.
Doctors described the injuries as affecting his muscles, ligaments, nerves, soft tissue, bones, and joints. Jordan also claimed a shock to his nervous system that compounded his pain and left him anxious. He continued to struggle with mobility, balance, and lingering dizziness long after the fall.
Damages
Jordan argued that the accident cost him dearly. He pointed to medical expenses for surgery, hospitalization, therapy, and ongoing treatment. He also testified that his daily activities were disrupted: he could no longer handle household duties or live independently without difficulty.
His complaint sought fair compensation for his pain and suffering, permanent physical limitations, medical costs, and emotional distress. He asked for damages exceeding $15,000, the threshold for jury cases in Connecticut.
Legal Representation
Plaintiff: Glynn Jordan
· Counsel for Plaintiff: Eric C. Shinaman
· Experts for Plaintiff: Valerie Annette I'anson | Marshall Chalfant | Lauri Daniel Bolton | Jessica Cerrato | Leah Leonhardt | Bruce Arose | Thomas Divinagracia | Mohamed Kareem Shaath | Kristina McColgan | Elizabeth Yousef | Bridget Keenan | Patrick Brooks | Solange Paz | Lindsey Seidelman | Omar Serrano
Defendants: Peter Christy | Veronica Christy
· Counsel for Defendants: Cynthia M. Garraty
Claims Asserted
Jordan’s lawyers painted the Christys’ property as unsafe. They emphasized that a staircase without a handrail and a patio without protective barriers posed obvious dangers. According to them, the Christys had a duty as homeowners to either install railings or at least warn visitors of the risks.
They argued that the Christys failed to meet this duty. By instructing Jordan to use the staircase, they exposed him to a hazard that should have been prevented. In this telling, the case was not about an unlucky slip but about clear neglect of basic safety standards that directly led to Jordan’s fall.
Jordan’s side also underlined the seriousness of the aftermath. The fracture to his leg, the head trauma, and the dizziness were not minor injuries but long-term conditions. His lawyers reminded the jury that his pain, surgery, and permanent limitations were all foreseeable results of unsafe property maintenance.
Defense Arguments
The Christys responded with a firm denial. Their attorneys admitted that Jordan fell but rejected the idea that they were at fault. They claimed that Jordan was negligent in the way he used the staircase and that his own actions were the substantial cause of his injuries.
In their special defense, they accused Jordan of failing to watch where he was stepping, ignoring his surroundings, and not taking reasonable precautions for his own safety. They argued that he knew or should have known the risks of using the stairs and that he failed to act responsibly.
Defense counsel stressed that property owners are not automatically liable for every accident on their land. They reminded the jury that visitors must also take care of themselves and that the law balances homeowner duties with personal responsibility.
Jury Verdict
On March 1, 2024, after hearing the evidence and deliberating, the jury reached its decision. They found that Jordan did not prove his negligence claims against the Christys. The jury concluded that the Defendants were not legally responsible for his fall.
The verdict was a full defense win. By siding with Peter and Veronica Christy, the jury closed the door on Jordan’s request for damages. The decision meant that despite his injuries and ongoing difficulties, he would not receive compensation from the Christys.
For Jordan, the outcome was a bitter disappointment. After years of litigation and the ordeal of trial, the jury did not accept his account of negligence. For the Christys, the verdict cleared them of legal blame and validated their argument that the accident was not their fault.
