Key Takeaway
$1.5M jury award upheld for bus accident victim with cervical/lumbar disc injuries, torn menisci, and post-concussive syndrome under NY Insurance Law 5102(d).
This article is part of our ongoing 4404(a) & weight of evidence review coverage, with 96 published articles analyzing 4404(a) & weight of evidence review issues across New York State. Attorney Jason Tenenbaum brings 24+ years of hands-on experience to this analysis, drawing from his work on more than 1,000 appeals, over 100,000 no-fault cases, and recovery of over $100 million for clients throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx. For personalized legal advice about how these principles apply to your specific situation, contact our Long Island office at (516) 750-0595 for a free consultation.
Castillo v MTA Bus Co., 2018 NY Slip Op 05134 (2d Dept. 2018)
“The plaintiff further testified: “ just slammed me to the back … of the bus … . She drove away at a fast pace and that’s when I landed all the way to the back of the bus in a seated down position with my left leg under me.” According to the plaintiff, her fall was of sufficient force that she lost consciousness.”
“During the damages trial, the plaintiff submitted evidence that she sustained disc bulges in almost the entirety of her cervical spine—C2-3 through C7-T1—resulting in diminished range of motion. She also submitted evidence that she sustained lumbar disc bulges at L3-4 and L5-S1, resulting in left S1 radiculopathy, meaning that a loss of function in the S1 nerve caused weakness and loss of sensation in the plaintiff’s left leg. Further, the plaintiff presented testimony that she sustained torn lateral and medial menisci in her left knee, requiring arthroscopic surgery, and that she may need a knee replacement in the future. Moreover, according to the trial testimony, the plaintiff developed postconcussive syndrome following the accident, and she will experience the effects of postconcussive syndrome for the rest of her life.”
“The jury found that the plaintiff sustained a serious injury within the meaning of Insurance Law § 5102(d), and awarded her the sum of $500,000 for past pain and suffering and the sum of $1,000,000 for future pain and suffering over 10 years. On November 2, 2015, the Supreme Court entered a judgment in favor of the plaintiff and against the defendant in the principal sum of $1,500,000. The defendant appeals.”
“The award of damages for past and future pain and suffering did not deviate materially from what would be reasonable compensation”
Just let this one sink in for a little bit.
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Legal Update (February 2026): Since this 2018 decision, New York courts have continued to develop jurisprudence around serious injury thresholds under Insurance Law § 5102(d), particularly regarding post-concussive syndrome and neurological injuries. Additionally, damage award ranges and jury verdict patterns may have evolved significantly over the past eight years. Practitioners should verify current case law interpretations of the serious injury standard and review recent comparable verdict data when evaluating similar claims.
Legal Context
Why This Matters for Your Case
New York law is among the most complex and nuanced in the country, with distinct procedural rules, substantive doctrines, and court systems that differ significantly from other jurisdictions. The Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) governs every stage of civil litigation, from service of process through trial and appeal. The Appellate Division, Appellate Term, and Court of Appeals create a rich and ever-evolving body of case law that practitioners must follow.
Attorney Jason Tenenbaum has practiced across these areas for over 24 years, writing more than 1,000 appellate briefs and publishing over 2,353 legal articles that attorneys and clients rely on for guidance. The analysis in this article reflects real courtroom experience — from motion practice in Civil Court and Supreme Court to oral arguments before the Appellate Division — and a deep understanding of how New York courts actually apply the law in practice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CPLR 4404(a) motion?
A CPLR 4404(a) motion asks the trial court to set aside a jury verdict as against the weight of the evidence or to direct judgment as a matter of law. It is filed after trial and gives the trial judge an opportunity to correct verdicts that are not supported by the evidence.
What standard does the court apply to a weight of evidence challenge?
The court examines whether the jury could have reached its verdict on any fair interpretation of the evidence. A verdict will be set aside only if it could not have been reached on any reasonable view of the evidence. This is a high standard that gives considerable deference to the jury.
Can a new trial be ordered after a weight of evidence motion?
Yes. If the court finds the verdict is against the weight of the evidence, it may order a new trial. Alternatively, the court may conditionally order a new trial unless one party consents to a reduced or increased award (additur/remittitur).
What is the serious injury threshold under Insurance Law §5102(d)?
New York Insurance Law §5102(d) defines 'serious injury' as a personal injury that results in death, dismemberment, significant disfigurement, a fracture, loss of a fetus, permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function or system, permanent consequential limitation of use of a body organ or member, significant limitation of use of a body function or system, or a medically determined injury that prevents the person from performing substantially all of their daily activities for at least 90 of the first 180 days following the accident.
Why does the serious injury threshold matter?
In New York, you cannot sue for pain and suffering damages in a motor vehicle accident case unless your injuries meet the serious injury threshold. This is a critical hurdle in every car accident lawsuit. Insurance companies aggressively challenge whether plaintiffs meet this threshold, often relying on IME doctors who find no objective limitations. Successfully establishing a serious injury requires detailed medical evidence, including quantified range-of-motion findings and correlation to the accident.
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About the Author
Jason Tenenbaum, Esq.
Jason Tenenbaum is the founding attorney of the Law Office of Jason Tenenbaum, P.C., headquartered at 326 Walt Whitman Road, Suite C, Huntington Station, New York 11746. With over 24 years of experience since founding the firm in 2002, Jason has written more than 1,000 appeals, handled over 100,000 no-fault insurance cases, and recovered over $100 million for clients across Long Island, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island. He is one of the few attorneys in the state who both writes his own appellate briefs and tries his own cases.
Jason is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Georgia, and Michigan state courts, as well as multiple federal courts. His 2,353+ published legal articles analyzing New York case law, procedural developments, and litigation strategy make him one of the most prolific legal commentators in the state. He earned his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law.
Disclaimer: This article is published by the Law Office of Jason Tenenbaum, P.C. for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this content. The legal principles discussed may not apply to your specific situation, and the law may have changed since this article was last updated.
New York law varies by jurisdiction — court decisions in one Appellate Division department may not be followed in another, and local court rules in Nassau County Supreme Court differ from those in Suffolk County Supreme Court, Kings County Civil Court, or Queens County Supreme Court. The Appellate Division, Second Department (which covers Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island) and the Appellate Term (which hears appeals from lower courts) each have distinct procedural requirements and precedents that affect litigation strategy.
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