Man Gets $18M for 20-Foot Fall Through Manhole

A former Pa. medical student who fell through a manhole and suffered career-ending injuries will receive $18 million after a Philadelphia jury trial.

Thirty-year-old Marcus Gustafsson of Philadelphia fell about 20 feet through the open manhole in 2004.

Lawyer Matthew Casey says Gustafsson suffered a broken back and other serious injuries and cannot return to medical school.

The defendant, the energy company Trigen-Philadelphia, says someone removed the 250-pound cover illegally.

A jury returned an $85 million verdict Monday, but the parties had agreed to cap the award.

Latest Comments

• July 5, 2008 at 8:31 am

  Mlle. Cotard says:

  Honestly, people. The only posting I even remotely agree with (and I heavily qualify that) belongs to "Just a Thought...". Nobody--with the possible exception of a "card carry... read more
• March 5, 2008 at 5:23 am

  Mary B. says:

  The only tragedy here is the dollar verdict for this idiot. You are so typical of what is wrong with America and its legal system. All emotion, no logic and no belief in perso... read more
• March 3, 2008 at 12:22 pm

  mcheck57 says:

  That was some strong homeless man!!! Pried and picked up a 250 lb manhole cover.