Jury Awards $5.6 Million to Newspaper Carrier Trapped in Elevator

The incident occurred on March 22, 2023, at The Hampton Beach Club Condominium. Mardy, then 62, arrived for her morning delivery route, leaving her equipment in plain view of security guards. While she was inside, the elevator malfunctioned between floors. Trial evidence revealed that the lift’s emergency telephone was broken and its security camera had been non-functional for some time, a condition Marksman Security was aware of prior to the entrapment.

During the three-hour ordeal, the assigned security guard took an unauthorized 95-minute break. Despite Mardy’s belongings remaining at the desk, no patrols were conducted, and no search was initiated. First responders were only alerted shortly before 7 a.m. Medical experts testified that the stress of the entrapment triggered a hypertensive emergency, leading to a stroke. Mardy sustained permanent physical limitations and post-traumatic stress disorder, rendering her unable to return to the two jobs she held since immigrating to the United States in 2001.

Attorney Jonathan Gdanski of Schlesinger Law Offices noted that the tragedy was entirely preventable had basic security protocols been followed. The awarded damages cover future medical care, lost earning capacity, and compensation for pain and suffering. The verdict serves as a mandate for property owners and security firms to prioritize the safety of those operating on their premises.