Jury awards plaintiff $57k in Troy garage trial

A Madison County trial involving a Troy woman's claim against her neighbors over garage damage caused by a falling tree ended with a jury award of $57,012.56.

The jury entered its verdict for plaintiff Rebecca Van Scoyk at 5:10 p.m. Dec. 8. The trial started Dec. 7.

Van Scoyk had sought damages of at least $60,000 in her suit.

In her complaint, Van Scoyk alleged that defendants Dennis and Cynthia Westfall knew that the tree in question was rotten and hollow. She claims the couple did nothing about it.

The tree fell on Van Scoyk's garage destroying and vehicles and other property.

The Westfalls denied they were responsible for the damage.

The plaintiff was represented by Bernard Ysursa.

The Westfalls were represented by James Hodges.

Madison County Circuit Judge Dennis Ruth presided. The case had originally been assigned to then-Madison County Circuit Judge Nicholas Byron.

The case was Madison case number 08-L-473.