NEW YORK — The New York City woman vilified for suing her 12-year-old nephew over a broken wrist she suffered when he jumped in her arms to greet her four years ago said Thursday she was “never comfortable” with the lawsuit.
Jennifer Connell appeared on NBC’s “Today” show along with her nephew, Sean Tarala. She said she wanted the homeowners insurance of her nephew’s parents to pay her medical bills, but under Connecticut law she could only sue an individual.
A jury this week rejected Connell’s $127,000 suit.
Connell said she broke her wrist when the boy jumped into her arms at his eighth-birthday party at his family’s home in Westport, Conn., causing her to fall. Her attorneys say she filed suit after the insurance company of her nephew’s parents offered her $1 over the accident.
Connell and Sean sat side by side and said they loved each other.
“She would never do anything to hurt the family or myself,” Sean said.
Connell said she was shocked by the backlash, which included her vilification on social media.
