SKETCHES OF COURT: Jury awards Plaintiff $47.6K in pedestrian-car accident case

December 16, 2015 By Alba Acevedo Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Court sketch by Alba Acevedo

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In this courtroom sketch, Hon. Bernard Graham observes as the plaintiff’s attorney Marius C. Wesser (standing) uses a visual aid of a knee joint during his opening statements in the pedestrian-motor vehicle accident summary jury trial Dixon v. Shamilov.

Lisa Dixon was 22 years old in September 2012, holding an umbrella on a rainy morning and walking to work when she was struck by a car. Dmitriy Shamilov was behind the wheel, executing an allowed right turn on red after stopping at the intersection of Bay and Shore parkways. His headlights were engaged and he was using windshield wipers.

Dixon described seeing the car and then proceeding across the roadway before being struck, she claimed, in a hard, fast impact at her left knee, and landing on the hood. She eventually underwent arthroscopic knee surgery, and claims that she has been unable to remain standing for the length of time required of her work and her studies. Wesser asked the jury to consider a total award of $500,000 for pain and suffering.

Shamilov, represented by Annette Hader (at right) of the law firm James G. Bilello & Associates, alleged that Dixon walked into his car. Hader, citing Dixon’s testimony that she had even picked up the pace while crossing, conjectured that she was late for work and not paying enough attention.

The jury determined that Shamilov was negligent, but that Dixon’s significant injury was not permanent. The plaintiff was awarded $41,000 for past pain and suffering, and $6,600 for three years’ future pain and suffering, in the trial that concluded last week in Kings County Civil Term.