BRIDGEPORT -- A New York woman who sued her nephew after the excited 8-year-old's hug allegedly caused her to fall and break her wrist has lost her case.
A jury found in favor of Sean Tarala, who is now 12 years old, in court on Tuesday.
Jennifer Connell testified against Tarala on Friday. Tarala, accompanied by his father, Michael Tarala, appeared confused during a hearing Friday. The boy's mother, Lisa Tarala, died last year.
Connell, a 54-year-old human resources manager, said she loves her nephew, but told the court he should be held responsible for her injury. Connell claims Tarala, of Westport, was negligent and careless, and is suing him for $127,000.
The hug happened March 18, 2011 when Connell showed up at the Taralas' Westport home for the boy's birthday. Sean was riding his brand-new red bike when he noticed his aunt, and came running, shouting, "Auntie Jen, I love you," according to court records.
Connell's 50-pound nephew jumped into her arms, sending the two tumbling to the ground, she testified. At the time, Connell said, she was injured but "it was his birthday party and I didn't want to upset him," according to the CT Post.
The court documents state that Connell fractured her left arm and needed surgery. She claimed the injuries were permanently disabling.
Connell, who doesn't have children of her own, said her life in a third-floor Manhattan walk-up has been "very difficult" since that day.
Her social life has taken a serious hit as well, she said. "I was at a party recently, and it was difficult to hold my hors d'oeuvre plate."
Connell's attorney claimed that "a reasonable eight year old under those circumstances would know or should have known that a forceful greeting such as the one delivered by the defendant to the plaintiff could cause the harms and losses suffered by the plaintiff."
