Police Officer Injured in Off-Duty Crash Gets $2M

A jury reached a gross verdict of $2.65 million in June 11 a case involving a former Philadelphia police officer whose motorcycle collided with another vehicle that crossed his path. Because the jury found plaintiff Christopher Nalls to be 25 percent at fault in his claim against local businessman Frank DeCaro, Nalls will receive only $2 million of the verdict.

Nalls, 36, was off-duty Dec. 11, 2006, driving his motorcycle near 15th Street and Passyunk Avenue in Philadelphia when a vehicle operated by defendant Frank DeCaro collided with his motorcycle, according to a June 12 press release from Duffy + Partners.

The attorneys at the Duffy + Partners law firm are Philadelphia birth injury lawyers, personal injury and accident attorneys.

Injuries and damages listed in the plaintiff’s pretrial memorandum estimate past medical expenses to amount to approximately $125,000 and future medical expenses to be an estimated $700,000.

Also included in the plaintiff’s memorandum was a brief summary of the defendant’s expert opinions. Donald Jennings indicated, “As a result of his injuries, and the considered medical opinions, [Mr. Nalls] would not be able to return to his normal occupation as a Philadelphia Police Officer.”

Although the police department placed Nalls in a position doing “light work,” positions such as these are generally reserved for officers that have been injured in the line of duty, said Fulginiti.