New York woman Jennifer Connell is being called the world’s worst aunt after she tried to sue her 12-year-old nephew for breaking her wrist four years ago. The kid, Sean Tarala, apparently jumped into her arms because he was excited to see her at his eighth birthday party in March, 2011.
The awkward embrace resulted in a broken wrist, for which Connell, 54, is now seeking a compensation of $127,000. She admitted in court that her nephew was ‘very loving’ and ‘sensitive’ towards her, but she believes that the boy should be held accountable for his behavior.
The lawsuit alleged that the boy’s “negligence and carelessness” caused Connell’s injuries and subsequent losses. It stated that “a reasonable eight years old under those circumstances would know or should have known that a forceful greeting such as the one delivered by the defendant to the plaintiff could cause the harms and losses suffered by the plaintiff.”
Photo: video caption
She testified that Sean was riding his new bicycle when he noticed her and got very excited. He yelled ‘Auntie Jen, Auntie Jen!” before leaping at her. “All of a sudden he was there in the air, I had to catch him and we tumbled on to the ground, I remember him shouting, ‘Auntie Jen I love you,’ and there he was flying at me.”
She realised right then that she had been injured, but she didn’t want to make a scene and spoil Sean’s birthday. But she says that the injury has badly affected the quality of her life. “I live in Manhattan in a third-floor walk-up so it has been very difficult,” she said. “And we all know how crowded it is in Manhattan. I was at a party recently, and it was difficult to hold on to my hors d’oeuvre plate.”
The six-member jury deliberated on the case for about 20 minutes before reaching its decision – that Connell was entitled to no money. When the verdict was read, she is reported to have showed no emotions, asking for judicial marshals to escort her past the heavy media crowd outside.
According to news reports, Sean looked confused as he sat in court alongside his father. His mother, Lisa, died last year.
