Biker hurt by hitting construction debris ends suit for 425G

[totalmotorcycle]

Biker hurt by hitting construction debris ends suit for 425Gs
Wednesday, November 22, 2006 - By FRANK DONNELLY - ADVANCE STAFF WRITER - Orlando Sentinel - orlandosentinel.com




A Westerleigh man injured five years ago when his motorcycle crashed after hitting construction debris on a Bloomfield street has reached a $425,000 settlement.

Steven Odessa, now 28, was riding his motorcycle on Edward Curry Boulevard near Gulf Avenue on Nov. 6, 2001.

He was near the site of the Adco Electric building, then under construction, when he lost control of the vehicle after it struck debris consisting of dirt, mud, stone and gravel, said his attorney, Joseph A. D'Agostino of the West Brighton law firm of Ameduri, Galante & Friscia.

Odessa was thrown to the ground, fracturing his left ankle.

A construction laborer for the city Department of Environmental Protection, Odessa underwent several surgeries, and was forced to miss a year of work.

At the time, Odessa was a candidate for the Fire Department of New York City. He had to abandon his candidacy due to his injuries, said D'Agostino.

Odessa sued the general contractor, WVC Development Co. Inc., and the property owner, Adwell LLC, in state Supreme Court, St. George. He alleged that the general contractor failed adequately to control and maintain the work site and road, and that the property owner hired careless contractors.

The case went to trial, and jurors found WVC Development liable, said D'Agostino.

WVC's insurance carrier settled the case before the damages portion of the case was tried.