102717judge-and-gavel

NEGLIGENCE

Palm Beach Circuit Court

A nightclub patron recovered nothing after suffering a knee injury during an incident with a doorman.

On May 10, 2014, James Jankowski exchanged words with Jake Gombocz, a doorman at Salt7 Steakhouse & Sushi in Delray Beach. Jankowski claimed Gombocz gave him a bear hug and he fell and injured is knee when he attempted to escape.

Jankowski claimed Salt7's owner, Sushi Prime LLC, was negligent for obtaining the services of Gombocz as an independent contractor. Gombocz claimed he was acting in self-defense after Jankowski attempted to punch him.

The jury found Gombocz and his employers not negligent but found Sushi Prime negligent. It awarded Jankowski $16,348, but the court granted Sushi Prime's motion for a directed verdict.

Case: Jankowski v. Sushi Prime

Case No: 50-2014-CA-008950-XXXX-MB

Plaintiffs attorneys: Desmon L. Andrade and Karl A. Forrest, Brion Ross Law Group, Hollywood

Defense attorneys: Eric L. Berger and Wayne S. Koppel, Koppel & Associates, Plantation; Lawrence E. Lafferty, Lawrence E. Lafferty P.A.; and Daniel J. Rose, Daniel J. Rose P.A.; Delray Beach