Boat Accident

Confidential RECOVERY – Defendant operating cabin cruiser strikes day marker in Cape May Harbor – Plaintiff passenger falls forward into boat’s cabin – Bilateral cervical facet syndrome – Borderline carpal tunnel syndrome.

Cape May County

The plaintiff guest on the defendant’s 24-foot cabin cruiser contended that the defendant operated the boat in a negligent manner, striking a day marker and propelling the plaintiff forward into the boat cabin some four feet below, causing her to strike her head and shoulders. The plaintiff maintained that a cervical sprain was initially diagnosed along with 1.5 cm scalp laceration. The plaintiff contended that she continued to suffer daily headaches, dizziness and difficulties sleeping, and that ultimately, bilateral cervical facet syndrome was diagnosed, prompting trigger point injections. The plaintiff also contended that she suffered wrist symptoms commencing at the time of the accident and that an EMG revealed borderline carpal tunnel syndrome. The defendant contended that the plaintiff suffered a resolving cervical sprain only and that any additional complaints stemmed from preexisting conditions. The plaintiff countered that she had no prior symptoms that would be consistent with the defendant’s position.

The case settled prior to trial for Confidential.

Reference

Plaintiff’s orthopedist: Maureen Gottfried from Somers Point. Plaintiff’s neurologist: Arun Kachroo from Medford.

Codianni vs. Hepner. Docket no. L-693-02; 1-03.

Attorney for plaintiff: Frank Gaudio of The Law Office of Miller & Gaudio PC in Red Bank.