NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court ." Although it is posted on the internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.
SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY APPELLATE DIVISION DOCKET NO. A-3408-22
KAYLA SINGLETARY and DAMIAR SUMTER, minors by their Guardian Ad Litem, ORTISHA LIGHTY, and ORTISHA LIGHTY, individually,
Plaintiffs-Appellants,
v.
ACORN NJ STRAIGHT APARTMENTS, LP, STILLMAN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, GARTHCHESTER REALTY, and MHANY MANAGEMENT, INC.,
Defendants-Respondents. _________________________________
Submitted September 10, 2024 – Decided December 19, 2024
Before Judges Firko and Bishop-Thompson.
On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Passaic County, Docket No. L-3858-20.
Brazza Law, LLC, attorneys for appellants (Caesar D. Brazza, on the briefs). Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP, attorneys for respondent Mhany Management Inc. (Colin P. Hackett, of counsel and on the brief; Georgia D. Reid, on the brief).
PER CURIAM
Plaintiffs Ortisha Lighty and her minor two children, Kayla Singletary and
Damiar Sumter (collectively plaintiffs), appeal from the denial of their motion
for a new trial following a unanimous no-cause jury verdict in this negligence
action for mold exposure brought against defendants Acorn NJ Straight
Apartments, LP, Stillman Property Management, Garthchester Realty, and
Mhany Management, Inc.
Plaintiffs claim cumulative trial errors produced an unjust result. In that
regard, plaintiffs argue (1) the jury was improperly charged with standard
negligence and not the duty of a landlord; (2) the jury verdict sheet was
confusing; (3) defendants improperly bootstrapped the opinions of a non -
testifying physician during cross-examination; (4) defendants improperly
referenced prior lawsuits and painted plaintiff as a "serial litigant"; (5)
defendants improperly bootstrapped the opinions of a non-testifying physician
during closing arguments to argue Lighty was "lying" about the cause of
injuries; (6) defendants improperly used the adverse inference charge; and (7)
defendants called Lighty a "liar" and "shameful" during closing argument.
A-3408-22 2 Before the trial court, plaintiffs raised three claims: (1) the improper jury charge
regarding the landlord's duty; (2) the verdict sheet was confusing; and (3) the
jury heard several remarks made by defense counsel which were prejudicial and
capable of producing an unjust result.
Having reviewed the record on appeal, we conclude there was no
miscarriage of justice, and the court properly exercised its discretion. We,
therefore, affirm the June 23, 2023 order denying plaintiffs' motion for a new
trial.
I.
We recite the facts from the three-day jury trial held in May 2023.
Numerous exhibits were admitted in evidence. We limit our summary of the
evidence adduced at trial to plaintiffs' trial error claims.
A. Orisha Lighty
Lighty testified she and Damiar moved into a two-bedroom, one bathroom
apartment in 2009 shortly after the building was completed. Kayla was born
shortly thereafter. After residing in the apartment for a few years, the bedroom
windows leaked water into the apartment during rain. Consequently, she often
made verbal complaints to MHANY, followed by emails or text messages to
MHANY's Executive Director Ismene Speliotis.
A-3408-22 3 According to Lighty, beginning in 2019, she and her children began to
experience health issues. Lighty repeatedly went to the doctor and the hospital
for breathing issues, headaches, and chest pain. Lighty's primary care physician
ultimately prescribed antibiotics and an inhaler. Lighty testified that she
attributed her health issues to mold exposure.
Lighty also testified mold appeared in the bedrooms and bathroom
sometime in 2020. Thereafter, Lighty contacted a state inspector. She then
contacted another inspector, who tested several areas in the master bedroom and
bathroom and the inspector found "high levels of mold" in the apartment. Lighty
claimed Speliotis declined to follow the inspector's recommendation for
remediation because of the cost; however, the mold and leaky windows were
remediated in December 2022.
Lighty also testified that her daughter Kayla experienced headaches,
nosebleeds, and breathing issues. Kayla's pediatrician prescribed antibiotics,
and allergy and headache medicine. Lighty claimed that her son Damiar, born
with a congenital kidney disease that suppressed his immune system, began
having a chronic rash on his torso.
On cross-examination, Lighty denied that she was a former smoker but
admitted that she smoked hookah sometime in 2019. Regarding Damiar, Lighty
A-3408-22 4 testified she did not know the origin of his rash, but it started sometime in 2020
and often reoccurred. When asked if a doctor told her that Damiar's rash was an
endocrine disorder, Lighty replied: "No." Also, when asked if Lighty told a
doctor that she believed Damiar's rash was caused by mold, she replied: "No."
Defense counsel then asked Lighty if she had filed two other personal
injury lawsuits before this matter, to which plaintiffs objected. During sidebar,
defense counsel stated "[s]he's a serial litigant . . . [s]he's the gift that keeps
giving." The trial court sustained plaintiffs' objection and issued a curative
instruction to the jury, and Lighty was instructed to disregard counsel's previous
question.
B. Dr. Eric Joseph
In support of her negligence claim, plaintiffs presented testimony from
Dr. Eric Joseph, qualified as an expert in otolaryngology — about the effects of
mold on the ears, nose, and throat. Joseph explained the effects of mold on the
ears, nose, and throat. Joseph stated he examined all plaintiffs on May 31, 2022.
As to Lighty, Joseph testified that he reviewed the remediation report
prepared by Christopher Bravo, emergency department medical records, medical
records from Lighty's primary care physician and otolaryngologist. Based on
the record review and examination of Lighty, Joseph opined Lighty had chronic
A-3408-22 5 bronchitis, secondary to chronic mold exposure. On cross-examination, Joseph
could not, and did not explain, two omissions from his expert report: Lighty
tested positive for cat dander, roaches, mugworts, house dust mites; and tested
negative for mold or fungal allergies in May 2020.
Joseph testified that he also examined and reviewed medical records for
then nine-year old Kayla. Joseph found Kayla's exposure was "remarkably
similar" to Lighty's and diagnosed Kayla with chronic rhinitis and chronic
rhinosinusitis due to chronic mold exposure.1 Thus, Joseph opined "Kayla's
chronic allergic fungal rhinosinusitis has been and continues to be directly
caused by years of chronic exposure to dangerously toxic levels of
aspergillus[/]penicillium-like mold." 2 On cross-examination, Joseph did not
1 Rhinitis is inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nose. Rhinosinusitis, also known as sinusitis, is an inflammation of the sinuses and nasal cavity. Sinus Infection (Sinusitis or Rhinosinusitis), Yale Med., https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/sinus-infection-sinusitis-or- rhinosinusitis. 2 Aspergillus and penicillium are a common mold found indoors and outdoors that can grow just from elevated relative humidity and condensation. Aspergillosis, Cleveland Clinic (Jan. 16, 2023), https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14770-aspergillosis; Penicillin Allergy, Cleveland Clinic (Mar. 22, 2023), https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16624-penicillin-allergies.
A-3408-22 6 recall the medical records reviewed concerning Kayla and her records were not
referenced in his expert report.
Regarding Damiar, Dr. Joseph opined that because of his "underlying
immunosuppression from his chronic kidney disease" Damiar's "rash was likely
caused by the exposure of contaminated water in the bathroom." On cross -
examination, however, Joseph did not opine that Damiar's chronic kidney
disease, or the atrophic left kidney was exacerbated due to mold. The court also
sustained plaintiffs' objection that defense counsel bootstrapped the diagnosis
of another doctor when Joseph was asked if he had seen in Damiar's medical
record "that this rash you've been telling us about was diagnosed by a
dermatologist as being CARP [(Confluent and Reticulated Papillomatosis)]." 3
C. Damiar Sumter
Damiar, then eighteen years old, testified that he often experienced a rash
on his back and chest. When the rash appeared, Sumter took a pill, and the rash
disappeared but "quickly" returned. Neither counsel posed questions to Damiar
regarding the cause of the rash.
3 Confluent and reticulated papillomatosis (CARP) is a rare skin condition that causes hyperpigmented, scaly papules and plaques to appear on the upper trunk and neck of young adults. Manal Alsulami, et al., Confluent and Reticulated Papillomatosis Successfully Treated with Topical Vitamin A Derivative (Hristo Dobrev ed., 2023). A-3408-22 7 D. Christopher Bravo
Plaintiffs also presented expert testimony from Bravo, a certified mold
inspector. Bravo performed a mold inspection of the areas of "primary concern"
— around the windows, bathroom, and master bedroom. In the master bedroom,
Bravo found "elevated moisture levels within the drywall" and "saw heavy
visible mold growth underneath the windowsill." He recommended the removal
of the windowsill and the affected drywall and insulation and dry out the
structure before the reinstallation of insulation or new floors. An air quality
reading was taken in the master bedroom and a control test was conducted
outdoors.
In the bathroom, Bravo saw what appeared to be "visible mold on a vent"
but it was not tested. He also observed water stains, discoloration, and visible
mold growth on the wood base of the vanity. He recommended removal of the
vanity, and any affected drywall found behind it, clean the wooden surfaces and
disinfect them with a special solution to remove mold and stains from the
surface, bag and dispose the affected material, vacuum to pick up dead spores
and debris, and then fumigate the bathroom. Test samples were collected and
A-3408-22 8 forwarded for analysis, which revealed "high levels" of cladosporium found
underneath the bathroom vanity. 4
E. Ismene Speliotis
Speliotis described Mhany Management as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit
company that manages an industrial building redeveloped to provide fifty
affordable housing one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments at 114-124 Straight
Street in Paterson. She admitted tenants complained of rain in their apartments,
but management could not identify the source of the water penetration and
"struggled" with making repeated repairs. Mhany hired an architect and
engineers to improve the entire façade. The leaks continued and after additional
testing and repairs, the water penetration issues were resolved.
Following the jury's verdict in defendants' favor, plaintiffs moved for a
new trial. On June 23, 2023, the trial court entered an order denying plaintiffs'
motion in its entirety.
4 Cladosporium is a common mold that can cause allergies or asthma. It is common in areas with humidity, moisture, and water damage. Jenna Fletcher, What is Cladosporium and what are its health effects? Medical News Today (June 26, 2023), https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320331. A-3408-22 9 II.
On appeal, plaintiffs reprise those arguments presented in their motion
before the trial court. Plaintiff also raises three new arguments: the trial court
improperly allowed defendants to bootstrap the opinions of a non-testifying
physician during cross-examination, defendants improperly called plaintiff a liar
and "shameful" during the closing argument, and defendants improperly
referenced the adverse inference charge.
III.
Our review is guided by well-established principles. "The standard of
review on appeal from decisions on motions for a new trial is the same as that
governing the trial judge—whether there was a miscarriage of justice under the
law." Risko v. Thompson Muller Auto. Grp., Inc., 206 N.J. 506, 522 (2011);
see also Hayes v. Delamotte, 231 N.J. 373, 386 (2018); R. 2:10-1. "[A]
'miscarriage of justice' can arise when there is a 'manifest lack of inherently
credible evidence to support the finding,' when there has been an 'obvious
overlooking or under-valuation of crucial evidence,' or when the case culminates
in 'a clearly unjust result.'" Hayes, 231 N.J. at 386 (quoting Risko, 206 N.J. at
521-22).
A-3408-22 10 A. Jury Instruction.
We first address plaintiffs' contention that the trial court issued an
incorrect jury instruction thus warranting a new trial. Plaintiffs argue the jury
was informed only as to standard negligence, and not as to the duty of a landlord
pursuant to Model Jury Charge (Civil), 5.20D(A)(2). "Duty of Owner of Multi-
Family House to Tenants and Others" (approved May 1997). However, at the
charge conference, plaintiffs did not request that charge be given to the jury.
Plaintiffs further argue the jury was not presented with evidence that the repairs
were completed, only the "self-serving" testimony of Speliotis. We reject these
arguments because they are not supported by the record.
In a thoughtful statement of reasons, the trial court correctly found
plaintiffs did not object to the standard jury instruction regarding negligence or
request the landlord's duty be charged to the jury. Additionally, plaintiffs did
not explain how that charge would be different from the standard jury charge,
or the lack of that charge causing a miscarriage of justice.
We review a trial court's jury charges de novo. Fowler v. Akzo Nobel
Chems., Inc., 251 N.J. 300, 323 (2022). "[A]ppropriate and proper charges to a
jury are essential for a fair trial." Prioleau v. Kentucky Fried Chicken, Inc., 223
A-3408-22 11 N.J. 245, 256 (2015) (quoting Velazquez ex rel. Velazquez v. Portadin, 163 N.J.
677, 688 (2000)).
A jury charge must be read as a whole, not just the challenged portions,
to determine its overall effect. Viscik v. Fowler Equip. Co., 173 N.J. 1, 18
(2002). "There is no reversible error 'where the charge, considered as a whole,
adequately conveys the law and is unlikely to confuse or mislead the jury, even
though part of the charge, standing alone, might be incorrect.'" Mogull v. CB
Com. Real Est. Grp., Inc., 162 N.J. 449, 464 (2000) (quoting Fischer v. Canario,
143 N.J. 235, 254 (1996)). Therefore, "[i]n civil matters, the trial court should
give an instruction that appropriately guides the jury on the legal basis of a
plaintiff's claim or a defendant's affirmative defense, so long as there is a
reasonable factual basis in the evidence to support that claim or defense."
Walker v. Costco Wholesale Warehouse, 445 N.J. Super. 111, 120 (App. Div.
2016).
When a party fails to object to the jury charges, we review for plain error.
State v. Singleton, 211 N.J. 157, 182-83 (2012). Plain error is error that "was
'clearly capable of producing an unjust result,' that is, whether there is 'a
reasonable doubt . . . as to whether the error led the jury to a result it otherwise
might not have reached.'" State v. Dunbrack, 245 N.J. 531, 544 (2021) (citation
A-3408-22 12 omitted) (first quoting R. 2:10-2; then quoting State v. Funderburg, 225 N.J. 66,
79 (2016)). "Relief under the plain error rule, R[ule] 2:10-2, at least in civil
cases, is discretionary and 'should be sparingly employed.'" Baker v. Nat'l State
Bank, 161 N.J. 220, 226 (1999) (quoting Ford v. Reichert, 23 N.J. 429, 435
(1957)).
Following the close of the evidence and prior to the parties' summation s,
the court conducted a charge conference. During the charge conference, the
court asked the parties if they wanted Model Jury Charge 5.10(A)(1) or (2) be
given to the jury. The parties had "[n]o preference." Accordingly, the court
instructed the jury that "[i]n this case, the plaintiffs have the burden of
establishing by a preponderance of the evidence all the facts necessary to prove
that defendants were responsible for the happening of the mold and resulting
injuries."
The court utilized Model Jury Charge (Civil), 5.10A(1) "Negligence and
Ordinary Care - General" (rev. Oct. 2022). Plaintiffs did not object to that
instruction being charged to the jury. Having reviewed the record, we conclude
there was ample competent evidence in the record for the jury to determine
whether defendants were negligent regarding the mold exposure. Thus, we
A-3408-22 13 discern no error, let alone plain error, warranting a new trial based on the
instructions given as a whole.
B. Verdict Sheet.
Plaintiffs' contention that the verdict sheet was confusing and produced a
prejudicial result lacks merit. The verdict sheet required the jury to answer the
following interrogatory before proceeding to the remaining interrogatories:
"Did [p]laintiffs establish by preponderance of the evidence that [d]efendants
were negligent in the maintenance of their property to cause mold?" The jur y
unanimously marked the verdict sheet "no," stopped as instructed by the verdict
sheet, and returned the verdict.
In rejecting plaintiffs' contentions, the trial court concluded "[t]he [c]ourt
is not the decider of fact, but the jury, and the [c]ourt here finds that [p]laintiff[s]
ha[ve] not provided any argument as to a clear error committed by the jury,
especially with a unanimous verdict." We agree.
A "jury verdict is entitled to considerable deference[.]" Risko, 206 N.J.
at 521. "On a motion for a new trial, all evidence supporting the verdict must
be accepted as true, and all reasonable inferences must be drawn in favor of
upholding the verdict." Boryszewski ex rel. Boryszewski v. Burke, 380 N.J.
Super. 361, 391 (App. Div. 2005). In reviewing a decision on a motion for a
A-3408-22 14 new trial, we give "due regard to the opportunity of the jury to pass upon the
credibility of the witnesses," R. 4:49-1(a), and "'due deference' to the trial court's
'feel of the case.'" Risko, 206 N.J. at 521-22 (quoting Jastram v. Kruse, 197 N.J.
216, 230 (2008)).
The "verdict sheet constitutes part of the trial court's direction to the jury,
defects in the verdict sheet are reviewed on appeal under the same 'unjust result'
standard of Rule 2:10-2 that governs errors in the jury charge." State v. Galicia,
210 N.J. 364, 388 (2012) (quoting State v. Wilder, 193 N.J. 398, 418 (2008)).
Having reviewed the record, including the judge's instructions to the jury, we
are satisfied the judge did not err in submitting the verdict sheet to the jury as
worded. Plaintiffs' contention that the wording was confusing to the jury is
speculative and is inconsistent with their position at trial, where they agreed to
the charge. The jury was asked to determine the critical issue — whether
defendants negligently maintained the apartment to cause mold. After
considering the evidence, the jury unanimously determined plaintiffs did not
meet their burden. On this record, we are satisfied the verdict sheet was
straightforward, not confusing, or prejudicial. Therefore, we conclude the court
properly denied plaintiffs' motion for a new trial.
A-3408-22 15 C. Alleged Prejudicial Remarks.
On appeal, plaintiffs reprise the same arguments that were rejected by the
trial court regarding alleged prejudicial remarks made by defense counsel during
summation. The record shows the court first explained the inaccuracy of
plaintiffs' argument regarding the sidebar colloquy. We agree with the trial
court that the record shows defense counsel did not call Lighty a serial litigant
and liar before the jury. After the court sustained plaintiffs' counsel's objection
to defense counsel's question to Lighty regarding two prior lawsuits, the court
instructed the jury to "to disregard the mention of any prior litigation" and
Lighty was instructed not to answer the question.
Next, the court rejected plaintiffs' argument that defense counsel "shouted
that [p]laintiff was the 'gift that keeps on giving'" while counsel was at sidebar.
The court noted defense counsel did not raise his voice and plaintiffs' counsel
did not request that the jury be questioned if they heard the comment.
We accord substantial deference to a trial judge's evidentiary rulings.
State v. Morton, 155 N.J. 383, 453 (1998). We review a trial judge's evidentiary
rulings for abuse of discretion. Pomerantz Paper Corp. v. New Cmty. Corp.,
207 N.J. 344, 371-72 (2011). An abuse of discretion arises when a "decision
[was] made without a rational explanation, inexplicably departed from
A-3408-22 16 established policies, or rested on an impermissible basis." U.S. ex rel. U.S. Dep't
of Agric. v. Scurry, 193 N.J. 492, 504 (2008) (alteration in original) (quoting
Flagg v. Essex Cnty. Prosecutor, 171 N.J. 561, 571 (2002)). "[W]e will reverse
an evidentiary ruling only if it 'was so wide off the mark that a manifest denial
of justice resulted.'" Griffin v. City of E. Orange, 225 N.J. 400, 413 (2016)
(quoting Green v. N.J. Mfrs. Ins. Co., 160 N.J. 480, 492 (1999)).
We have considered the breadth of plaintiff's remaining arguments in view
of the record provided on appeal and conclude they lack sufficient merit to
warrant further discussion in a written opinion, R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(E), beyond the
brief remarks that follow.
Having considered plaintiffs' contentions in view of sidebar and the
applicable law, we discern no reason to disturb trial court's evidentiary decision.
We conclude the trial court properly exercised its discretion related to plaintiff's
objections to defense counsel's line of questioning.
D. Bootstrapping and Closing Argument.
Plaintiffs raise three new arguments for the first time on appeal. We
usually decline to consider new arguments that are raised for the first time on
appeal. Nieder v. Royal Indem. Ins. Co., 62 N.J. 229, 234 (1973). Nonetheless,
for the sake of completeness, we address and reject plaintiffs' arguments.
A-3408-22 17 First, plaintiffs argue defense counsel bootstrapped the opinion of
Damiar's physician through Joseph's cross-examination and during closing
argument. Plaintiffs conflate the record. The trial court permitted testimony
that Joseph did not offer an opinion on Damiar's chronic kidney disease, or the
atrophic left kidney was exacerbated due to mold, and precluded testimony
whether a dermatologist diagnosed Damiar with CARP. Accordingly, we find
no abuse of discretion in the trial court's evidentiary ruling.
Next, plaintiffs argue defense counsel made two prejudicial remarks
during closing argument. First, plaintiffs argue defense counsel "brazenly"
disregarded the court's order by stating Joseph testified on direct examination
that he reviewed all Damiar's medical records. And then stated: "Did you see
these records, [d]octor, where the rash was diagnosed, as being something[,] we
need to know, did you see that? That's what they do. Because they're a doctor,
and asked did you see those records where the rash was diagnosed." Plaintiffs
made no objection to that statement.
Second, plaintiffs contend defense counsel argued "[Lighty] was
'shameful!' because she used her children to 'further her litigious nature.'"
Plaintiffs misstates the record. Defense counsel argued plaintiffs chose not to
force Kayla to testify for her own sake but stated "[s]o what I say to Kayla, and
A-3408-22 18 I'll leave it at this, I'm no one's judge, but what I say is shame, shame." The
court immediately issued a curative instructive to the jury that counsel's
comments were argument and not evidence. The court also charged the jury that
"[w]hile you may consider their comments, nothing that the attorneys say is
evidence, and their comments are not binding upon you." Therefore, we
conclude there was no plain error, and a new trial is not warranted based on the
curative instruction followed by the proper jury charge.
Affirmed.
A-3408-22 19