Auto Accident Jury Verdict
May 19, 2014OUTCOME: $3,000,000 Verdict
On May 19, 2014, a Middlesex County Jury reached a unanimous verdict in the matter of Malaka Korbeh v. Jonathan Duran and Emmanuel Egbutu, docket number MID-L-1449-12, awarding damages in the amount of ... $3,000,000.00. This matter arises out of an automobile accident which occurred on September 3, 2011 on the New Jersey Turnpike in Cranbury, New Jersey. At the time, an automobile driven by Emmanuel Egbutu of Monroe Township, New Jersey was cut off by an automobile driven by Jonathan Duran of Clifton, New Jersey upon a sudden lane change resulting in the Egbutu vehicle striking the Duran vehicle from behind and causing it to careen off another vehicle and roll over. The jury found that Jonathan Duran was 100% at fault. As a result of the accident, the plaintiff Malaka Korbeh, who was an 18 year old passenger in the Duran vehicle at the time of the accident, sustained significant permanent spinal injuries which have resulted in multiple operative pain management procedures and will require multiple surgeries in the future. The amount awarded by the jury is representative of damages to date as well as throughout her life expectancy. Plaintiff Malaka Korbeh was represented by Edward C. Lutz, Esq. of Parsippany, New Jersey. Defendant Jonathan Duran was represented by Robert Helwig, Esq. of the law firm of Hoagland, Longo, Moran, Dunst & Doukas, LLP located in New Brunswick, New Jersey. This matter involved a four day trial before the Honorable Arthur Bergman, Judge of Superior Court. Defendant Duran’s automobile insurance carrier is New Jersey Manufacturers.
