Case Background
The legal dispute originated from an afternoon incident in a New London parking lot. On December 22, 2023, Venessa Jones walked through the lot located at 189 Jefferson Avenue. At the same time, Francisco Morocho occupied a parked motor vehicle in that same vicinity. The situation turned critical when Morocho’s vehicle moved in reverse. Jones alleged that the car suddenly struck her without any prior warning, leading to a series of physical injuries and subsequent legal action.
Cause
The primary cause of the legal action centered on allegations of vehicular negligence. Jones asserted that Morocho failed to operate his vehicle with the necessary level of care required for a parking area. Specifically, the claim highlighted that Morocho moved his vehicle from a stopped position and traveled in reverse when it was unsafe to perform such a maneuver.
Injury
As a result of the impact, Jones reported a variety of physical ailments. Her medical complaints included lumbar pain and sprains, general back pain, and a distressing sense of weakness and numbness throughout both her arms and legs. Beyond the physical limitations, she cited significant mental and physical pain and suffering, noting that the injuries interfered with her ability to enjoy her daily life and usual activities.
Damages Sought
In her formal complaint, Jones sought financial compensation for the harm she endured. This included reimbursement for the medical expenses she had already incurred, as well as funds for anticipated future treatments. While the exact total was not specified as a single figure, the legal filing clarified that the demand for monetary damages exceeded $15,000.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
The case moved through the New London Superior Court system over nearly two years. Throughout the proceedings, the Court examined the specific actions of both the pedestrian and the driver during those moments in the parking lot.
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Venessa Jones
Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Brian M. Flood of The Flood Law Firm, LLC
Expert for Plaintiff(s): Eric John Fisher
Defendant(s): Francisco Morocho
Counsel for Defendant(s): Colleen M. Garlick of Hassett and Donnelly, PC
Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel
The legal teams presented two starkly different versions of the event. The Plaintiff's side emphasized the driver's duty to watch for pedestrians, while the defense focused on the pedestrian's duty to remain aware of her surroundings.
Claims
The Plaintiff’s legal team argued that the collision occurred because Morocho was inattentive and failed to keep a proper lookout for people walking in the lot. They contended that he did not sound his horn or provide any timely warning before the vehicle hit Jones. Furthermore, they claimed he failed to apply his brakes or steer the car away in time to prevent the accident. The Plaintiff also alleged that Morocho violated several Connecticut state statutes regarding the safe operation of a vehicle in a parking area.
Defense
Francisco Morocho and his counsel resisted these claims by filing a formal "Special Defense". In his response to the lawsuit, Morocho initially stated he lacked sufficient information to confirm many of the Plaintiff's allegations. However, he explicitly denied that his negligence caused the accident. The defense argued that Jones herself was negligent at the time of the incident. They claimed she failed to make reasonable use of her senses and did not keep a proper lookout for vehicles. According to the defense, Jones's own inattentiveness to her surroundings served as the actual and proximate cause of her injuries.
Jury Verdict
After hearing the evidence presented by both sides regarding the December 2023 incident, the jury reached a conclusion on January 22, 2026. The jury foreperson, Josh Force, delivered the final decision to the Court.
The jury did not find the Defendant liable for the damages claimed by the Plaintiff. Instead, the jury issued a verdict in favor of the Defendant, Francisco Morocho. By checking the box for the Defendant, the jury determined that the Plaintiff, Venessa Jones, did not meet the burden of proof required to hold Morocho responsible for the collision or the resulting medical issues. Consequently, no monetary damages were awarded to the Plaintiff.
Court Documents
