Jury Finds Rhode Island Not Liable in Newport Cliff Walk Fall

A Newport County Superior Court jury yesterday found the state of Rhode Island is not liable in the personal injury case of a man who became a quadriplegic after he fell from Newport’s famed Cliff Walk while on his honeymoon.

Simcha Berman claimed both the city of Newport and state were negligent in not properly maintaining the walk. He was seeking damages in excess of $30 million.

The city of Newport actually settled with Berman for $2 million last week, before yesterday’s jury decided that he had not proven that the state was negligent in its responsibilities regarding the Cliff Walk.

The jury deliberated one full day after a six-day trial before Superior Court Justice Stephen P. Nugent.

Assistant Attorneys General James Lee and Brenda Baum handled the case for the state.