Albany County Jury Awards Sexual Assault Victim $550,000
"Exalted Leader" and Elks Lodge Held Accountable
ALBANY, N.Y., Dec. 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Our client was 29 when she was sexually assaulted by the "Exalted Leader" of an Elks Lodge in Plattsburgh, NY. Although the defendant pleaded guilty to the assault, the defense attempted to make the ludicrous claim that because our client had been previously sexually assaulted, and suffered PTSD and depression, no damage could have been related to this assault.
The Finkelstein & Partners team, led by trial attorney Nancy Y. Morgan, were determined to fight for justice for this young woman. Attorneys Elyssa Fried, Marie Dusault, Alex Awad and Legal assistants Judy Gentile, Lisa Parkinson and Amanda Chanowski, together with many others, worked to ensure that the jury was given a complete and honest version of events. The jury ultimately determined that the defendant and the Elks Lodge were responsible for the substantial harm they caused and issued a verdict in the plaintiff's favor totaling $550,000.
Lead trial attorney Nancy Morgan stated, "To think that this man could use his position of power to abuse a young woman, and then have the audacity to claim it didn't matter because she had been previously abused, was not going to happen on my watch. This jury verdict sends a message that society is no longer tolerant of the abuse of women, and further, that men in a position of power must – and will – be held accountable. I am very grateful to the members of the jury for their thoughtful verdict."
Our client noted, "I started with another attorney but thankfully, F&P agreed to take my case. Nancy Morgan told me we would have an army to help me, and she was telling the truth. I was very comfortable and impressed from day one. I was upset with the criminal case because I never got to tell my story, but Nancy helped bring my truth to the jury and when they answered yes to the preliminary questions, I started to cry. For me it was not about the money, I felt like I was finally heard. But the money will change my life, I can get help now, I have closure, and I hope to go back to school and get a degree in social work to help other people."
Headquartered in Newburgh, NY, Finkelstein & Partners, LLP has been successfully winning serious injury cases for nearly 60 years. Offices are located throughout New York and New Jersey and services include Personal Injury, Social Security Disability Benefits, Workers' Compensation, Nursing Home Neglect and Veterans Disability Appeals. The firm's Commit to Quit Distracted Driving program highlights the serious dangers of distracted driving for teen drivers. We care deeply about the work we do and the communities we serve. We encourage our family of employees to devote time and assistance to community projects, because we want to be a part of building better communities. To learn more, visit the firm's website at lawampm.com or call 1-800-Lawampm / 1-800-529-2676.
For more information, contact
Danielle Mackey – 845.563.9522 or
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SOURCE Finkelstein & Partners, LLP
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