Woman Says Injuries From Dunkin Donuts Fall And Spill Changed Her Life
HIGHLAND PARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A New Jersey woman said a routine morning coffee run changed her life forever.
Maria Marsala just won a huge lawsuit against Dunkin' Donuts for $522,000 for injuries suffered outside a chain in Highland Park.
"No amount of money could take the pain away," she told CBS2's Meg Baker.
Marsala was carrying multiple cups of hot coffee from a Dunkin' Donuts on Raritan Avenue when she tripped on a spike coming out of the curb near her car.
"I came out a couple of feet, tripped, fell on my right side," she said.
One of the slabs of concrete in the parking lot was broken leaving an exposed spike. Marsala tripped, spilling 4 cups of hot coffee on herself, and landing on her right side.
She suffered severe burns on her face, neck, and arms.
Since the trip and fall in January of 2012, Marsala has had surgery on her rotator cuff and her lower back, suffering from numbness down her right side.
Marsala's attorney Ed Rebenack claimed negligence in maintaining the parking lot.
"The corporate entity that owned and managed property was responsible to maintain the parking lot," he said, "The case points out when you own a business inviting members of the public to a business you have to make sure they are protected."
"My whole life changed," Marsala added.
She said she is no longer able to work a job she loved at a nursing home.