As reported by The Associated Press for several news outlets including The Republic, a lawyer has won her lawsuit against the city of Middletown, for failing to provide protection in the courthouse’s parking lot during a 2005 shooting that left the lawyer with serious injuries.
J.P. a Waterbury-based attorney, settled her suit on January 9 for an undisclosed amount.
The shooting incident occurred on June 15, 2005 when M.B. Jr., a retired trooper, shot and killed his estranged wife, D.B.
He would later turn the gun on himself and die from his injuries.
But before M.B. Jr. shot himself, he had opened fire on the Middletown Superior Court parking lot. A total of four of the .40-caliber semiautomatic pistol hollow-point bullets pierced J.P.’s body.
M.B. Jr. and D.B. where in the midst of a divorce battle, and J.P. had represented D.B.
In the suit J.P. accused the city of failure in providing security, or police protection, to patrons of the courthouse parking lot. J.P. also alleged that there had been previous altercations – that the city was aware of – around the same courthouse building.
The lawsuit claims that the four bullet wounds caused J.P. to suffer, and continue to suffer, with several fractures, some bone loss in her hand, a facial scar, hearing loss, one drooping eyelid and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The bullets, shot into her face, shoulder, arm, chest, left hand and other parts of her body, have required that she submit to multiple surgeries. A few of the surgeries have been successful in repairing some of the damage.
Court documents were obtained by The Associated Press stating that the case was settled, and Middleton’s lawyer, Matthew Dallas Gordon, confirmed it as well. But Gordon would not comment further as to the amount of the settlement.
The attorney representing J.P., as well as J.P. herself, also failed to provide a comment to the press regarding the settlement.
Another case brought by J.P. is pending against the state of Connecticut. She is asking for $25 million in damages in alleging that authorities, that knew M.B. was dangerous, failed to enlighten her to that danger. J.P. is currently awaiting the state claims commissioner to permit her to sue.
M.B. allegedly tried to bring prohibited items – including a gun and knife – into the courthouse six times. J.P.’s lawyer contended that state courthouse marshals failed to report the incidents to the administrative judge. J.P. also tried to sue the Judicial Branch, judicial marshals and the Department of Public Safety.
Two years after the shooting, J.P. worked to push a law, made in her namesake, which would further protect courthouse attendees from harm by supplying more security statewide. The bill, requiring $10 million to make the security system changes, died in the Senate.
Being injured as an innocent bystander or a direct target, is considered a personal injury and grounds for a lawsuit. Contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your case and monetary reimbursement for your pain and suffering.