...Title
Dept/ Agency: Law
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Purpose: Settlement of Civil Litigation
Docket No.: ESX-L-004688-22
Claimant: Juan Espinosa
Claimant's Attorney: Matthew V. Villani, Esq., Ginarte Gonzalez & Winograd LLP, 400 Market Street, Newark, New Jersey 07105
Settlement Amount: $281,231.84
Funding Source: Insurance Trust Fund
Additional Information:
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WHEREAS, Plaintiff, captioned, Juan Espinosa v City of Newark et al., Docket No. ESX-L-004688-22, instituted a suit in the Law Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Essex Vicinage, in which the plaintiff sought recovery of damages for personal injury, as a result of an alleged dangerous condition in the City of Newark; and
WHEREAS, a settlement proposal has been made to resolve this litigation in its entirety by payment in the total amount of Two Hundred Eighty-One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty-One Dollars and Eighty-Four Cents ($281,231.84) and execution of a Settlement Agreement and Release; and
WHEREAS, to avoid the costly expense of litigation, the Parties and the City’s Corporation Counsel desire to amicably resolve this matter with payment by the City of Newark of the Settlement Sum, in exchange for Plaintiff’s execution of the Settlement Agreement and Release (attached) as a full and complete release of the matter; and
WHEREAS, the Corporation Counsel based upon all facts and circumstances presented, deems it in the best interest of the City of Newark to resolve said matter by payment of the proposed Settlement Sum and execution of the Settlement Agreement and Release.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
The Corporation Counsel is hereby authorized on behalf of the City of Newark to execute and accept the terms of the Settlement Agreement and Release, attached hereto.
Upon receipt by the Corporation Counsel of all documents deemed necessary, the Director of Finance is hereby authorized and directed to issue payment in the amount of Two Hundred Eighty-One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty-One Dollars and Eighty-Four Cents ($281.231.84), which payments will be made jointly to “Juan Espinosa and Ginarte Gonzalez & Winograd LLP” and mailed to Matthew V. Villani, Esq., Ginarte Gonzalez & Winograd LLP, 400 Market Street, Newark, New Jersey 07105.
Annexed hereto is the Certification of Funds issued by the Director of Finance, City of Newark, which states that there are available sufficient legally-appropriated funds from Fund 025, Dept 25T, Division/Project 5T25 and Account #96320, in the amount of Two Hundred Eighty-One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty-One Dollars and Eighty-Four Cents ($281.231.84), for the purpose set forth herein.
A copy of the Comptroller’s Certification shall be filed in the Office of the City Clerk along with this Resolution by the Corporation Counsel.
The Corporation Counsel shall file a fully executed copy of the Settlement Agreement and Release in the Office of the City Clerk.
This Resolution shall be effective upon adoption in accordance with applicable State Law.
The Settlement Agreement and Release and Resolution does not admit, nor should it be construed as an admission of liability or violation of any law, statute or regulation or a breach of any duty by the City of Newark, its agents, officers and/or employees whatsoever and is entered into based upon recommendations of the Corporation Counsel and to eliminate all risks and future litigation costs.
STATEMENT
This Resolution authorizes the Corporation Counsel on behalf of the City of Newark to enter into a Settlement Agreement and Release to settle civil litigation in the Law Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Essex Vicinage, captioned, Juan Espinosa v City of Newark et al., Docket No. ESX-L-004688-22, in the amount of Two Hundred Eighty-One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty-One Dollars and Eighty-Four Cents ($281.231.84), in exchange for the Plaintiff’s dismissal of any and all claims against the City of Newark and its employees, and a complete release.