102717judge-and-gavelMOTOR VEHICLE

PALM BEACH CIRCUIT COURT

A jury found Palm Beach County was not at fault for a jogging accident on a drawbridge.

On April 17, 2014, Laurie Ragusa, then 50, was jogging across the Camino Real Drawbridge in Boca Raton when she was allegedly struck by a gate arm. Ragusa claimed the gate arm fell suddenly, striking her head and face, and knocking her to the ground. Her nose was fractured, and she claimed she suffered herniated cervical and lumbar discs. Ragusa claimed the county was negligent in the maintenance of the bridge.

Defense counsel disputed Ragusa's claims, saying the gate arm could not have dropped suddenly. Counsel also argued Ragusa ignored all of the warnings on the bridge and told paramedics she ran into the gate.

Case: Ragusa v. Palm Beach County

Case No.: 50-2015-CA-001054-XXXX-MB

Plaintiffs Attorney: Curtis J. Mase, Mase Tinelli Mebane & Briggs, Miami

Defense Attorneys: Rachel M. Fahey and Sara C. Lindsey, Palm Beach County Attorney's Office, West Palm Beach