Lawes et al v. Q.B Construction, et al

Filing 908

OPINION AND ORDER granting 884 Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law and granting 887 Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law. Judgment will be entered accordingly. Signed by Judge Daniel R. Dominguez on 9/7/2016. (JM)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF PUERTO RICO
GRANDVILL D. LAWES,
Plaintiff,
Civ. No. 12-1473 (DRD)

v.
Q.B. CONSTRUCTION, ET. AL.,
Defendants

OPINION AND ORDER
INTRODUCTION
On October 22, 2011, on or about 8:00 PM, Plaintiff Grandvill Lawes (“Plaintiff”), a Jamaican
merchant marine, was crossing at midblock from the northernmost sidewalk towards the southern sidewalk
of Fernandez Juncos Avenue (“Avenue”) in San Juan, Puerto Rico.1 Upon crossing the two lanes of Calle
del Tren, an arterial roadway immediately to the north of the Avenue, Plaintiff stopped briefly on the median
between Calle del Tren and the Avenue. Plaintiff then crossed the two westbound lanes of the Avenue and
stopped on the yellow divider between the westbound and eastbound lanes. However, a vehicle
approaching in the northernmost eastbound lane trapped Plaintiff on the divider. Unable to cross the two
eastbound lanes, Plaintiff remained on the divider for approximately twenty (20) seconds.2 Shortly
thereafter, as he attempted to evade an oncoming eastbound vehicle, Plaintiff moved slightly into the
southernmost westbound lane and was struck by Rafaela Riviere-Andino’s Toyota 4Runner.3
On and around the date of Plaintiff’s accident, Defendants were participating in efforts to revitalize
Piers Seven (7) and Eight (8) in Old San Juan, otherwise known as the Bahia Urbana construction project
See Plaintiff’s Exhibit 1 for an aerial photograph of the area of the accident.
The time Plaintiff remained on the yellow divider was derived exclusively from the testimony of merchant marine Carlos Gordon,
who accompanied Plaintiff on the evening of the accident, to questions from counsel for CSA. See Docket No. 647 at 62-69.
3 The events of October 22, 2011 were compiled from the testimony of merchant marines Rolando Medrano and Carlos Gordon,
both present at the time of the accident.
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(“construction” or “Project”). The construction site limit was approximately ten to fifteen meters from the site
of the accident. Q.B. Construction, Inc. (“Q.B”), the general contractor of the Project; Q.B.’s insurance
carriers; and CSA Architects and Engineers, LLP (“CSA”), the designers of the Project’s Management of
Traffic Plan (“MOT”), are the only defendants in this case.
The MOT was the plan for the temporary management of vehicular and pedestrian traffic affected
by the Project. See Docket No. 644 at 49, lines 16-22. CSA had planned for merchant marines walking to
Old San Juan to exit their ships on Pier 9, walk onto the southern sidewalk of the Avenue, take a slight turn
westbound, and walk to the point of the intersection of the Avenue and Valdes Street, where a Spanishlanguage road sign warned them that the sidewalk was closed and advised them to cross “here [at the
crosswalk].” Id. at 54, lines 15-21; see also id. at 129, lines 17-19. Pedestrians were then to cross the
Avenue at the crosswalk, under the protection of the stoplight,4 walk past Calle del Tren, and walk into Old
San Juan on the northernmost sidewalk. However, Plaintiff alleges that “(i) the defendants failed to design
and or install important traffic signs5; (ii) defendants failed to comply with General Note No. 9 which states
that QB had to provide artificial illumination at all times; (iii) the defendants failed to comply with General
Note No. 11 which required the installation of an orange mesh to insure the safety of pedestrian flow; (iv)
defendants did not follow the applicable parts of the [Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices],
specifically Chapter 66.” Docket No. 492 at 11.

Some merchant marines testified that the stoplight at the intersection of the Avenue and Valdes Street often did not work
properly. However, the stoplight was functioning properly on the night of the accident. See Plaintiff’s Exhibit 9-H and 9-X; see
also Docket No. 785 at 10, lines 19-21 (photographs taken at the scene of the accident at approximately 10:00PM on the night of
the accident by Agent Luis Torres-Ostolaza).
5 The Court clarifies that evidence was introduced at trial that there was, indeed, a sign cautioning pedestrians of a closed
sidewalk ahead and advising them to cross at the intersection. The sign was attached to a cement pole several meters east of
the intersection.
6 At one point, Plaintiff alleged that Q.B. should have closed-off the southernmost eastbound lane of the Avenue and install a
temporary pedestrian walkway through the closed lane. However, the determination to leave the southernmost lane open was
made exclusively by the Puerto Rico Highway and Transit Authority (“PRHTA”). It was not Q.B. Construction or CSA’s decision.
In fact, Ruth Vargas testified that her first MOT submission to PRHTA contemplated closing the southernmost lane. PRHTA
returned the proposal with a denial of the application to close the lane and the instruction to notify the PRHTA in case future lane
closures were contemplated. See Docket No. 644 at 198, lines 6-10. Thus, the Court finds no legal grounds for that argument
and disregards it primarily because neither Q.B. nor CSA have dominion over the roadways in Puerto Rico. PRHTA has
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PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On June 14, 2012, Plaintiff filed suit against Q.B. Construction, Inc. (“Q.B.”); Constructora Santiago
Corp. II; the Municipality of San Juan (“Municipality); the Puerto Rico Ports Authority (“PRPA”); and
MAPFRE PRAICO Insurance Company (“MAPFRE”).7 See Docket No. 1. Plaintiff argued Defendants’
negligence in designing and implementing the MOT were the proximate cause of his injuries on October 22,
2011 pursuant to Article 1802 of the Puerto Rico Civil Code, 31 P.R. Laws Ann. ' 5141.
On March 4, 2014, Plaintiff filed a Second Amended Complaint naming Triple-S Propiedad (“TripleS”), Integrand Assurance Company (“Integrand”), and ACE Insurance Company (“ACE”) as defendants
(Docket No. 119). These three corporations insured co-Defendant Q.B. at the time of the accident. Id. On
February 6, 2015, Plaintiff filed his Third Amended Complaint including MOT-designer CSA as a named
defendant (Docket No. 257).
The jury trial began on March 7, 2016. See Docket No. 581. On July 6, 2016, twenty-eight (28) trial
dates and eleven (11) witnesses later,8 Plaintiff informed the Court that he had no more witnesses and
rested his case. See Docket No. 879. In turn, Defendants sought leave to file written motions for Judgment
as a Matter of Law prior to their case in chief. Id.
On July 17, 2016, Defendant Q.B. Construction, joined by its insurance carriers, filed a Motion for
Judgment as a Matter of Law (Docket No. 884). Q.B. alleged Plaintiff failed to present evidence to establish
any of the three elements of a prima facie case under Article 1802. Specifically, Q.B. averred Plaintiff
lacked evidence to establish Q.B.’s implementation of the MOT was negligent. See id. at 46. Further, Q.B.
“complete control and supervision of any traffic or transportation facilities owned, operated, constructed, or acquired by it,” 9 P.R.
LAWS §2004(d).
7 On August 20, 2012, the Court dismissed all claims against Constructora Santiago Corp. II (Docket No. 29) pursuant to
Plaintiff’s Notice of Voluntary Dismissal without Prejudice as to Constructora Santiago II (Docket No. 28). The claims against the
Municipality and MAPFRE were dismissed on January 22, 2016 for failing to abide by to the notice requirements provided in 21
P.R. Laws Ann. §4703. See Docket No. 474.
8 Q.B. Construction employees Edgardo Velez and Enrique Cruz; CSA employee and MOT-designer Ruth Vargas; merchant
marines Oliver Scotland, Ricky Ferrol, Carlos Gordon, and Rolando Medrano; Plaintiff Grandvill Lawes; Guillermo Requejo;
Third-Party Defendant Rafaela Riviere-Andino; and PRPD Agent Luis Torres-Ostolaza. No expert witness testified before the
jury. Plaintiff’s engineering expert, Ralph Aronberg, was barred from testifying due to Plaintiff’s noncompliance with Federal Rule
of Civil Procedure 26 and Federal Rule of Evidence 702. See Docket No. 868; see also Fed. R. Civ. P. 26 and Fed. R. Evid. 702.
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argued Plaintiff had not presented any evidence that Q.B.s implementation of the MOT was the proximate
cause of his injuries on the night of his accident. See id.
On August 7, 2016, Plaintiff filed his opposition to Q.B.’s Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law
(Docket No. 903). Plaintiff charged Q.B. with failing to comply with their duty to “control pedestrian flow as
mandated in the contract documents, case law, industry standard [sic] and lawful orders from an
authorizing agency.” Id. at 34. Plaintiff alleges that Q.B.’s failure to comply with those standards was a
breach of their duty of care towards pedestrians and, consequently, was a proximate cause of Plaintiff’s
accident. Id. at 35.
On July 18, 2016, Defendant CSA filed its Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law (Docket No.
887). CSA set forth similar arguments to those in Q.B.’s motion. Namely, CSA asseverated that Plaintiff
had failed to present any evidence at trial from which a reasonable jury could find “either that CSA was
negligent in designing the [MOT] . . . or that the allegedly negligent design of the MOT was the proximate
cause of Plaintiff’s accident.” Id. at 1.
On August 8, 2016, Plaintiff opposed CSA’s Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law (Docket No.
905). In sum, Plaintiff argues CSA’s negligent decision to leave a portion of the southernmost sidewalk
open between the cement barrier and the intersection, as opposed to placing the barrier at the intersection,
created a foreseeable risk of midblock pedestrian crossings. Thus, Plaintiff alleges CSA’s decision, too,
was a proximate cause of Plaintiff’s injuries. See id. at 11.
Pending before the Court are Defendant Q.B. Construction and Defendant CSA’s Motions for
Judgment as a Matter of Law (Docket Nos. 884 and 887) and Plaintiff’s Memorandums in Opposition to
Defendants’ motions (Docket Nos. 903 and 905). For the reasons discussed below, the Court hereby
GRANTS Defendants’ Motions for Judgment as a Matter of Law.

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JUDGMENT AS A MATTER OF LAW UNDER RULE 50(a)
Because granting a Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure
50(a) deprives the plaintiff of bringing his case before the jury, these motions are to be “granted cautiously
and sparingly.” Rivera Castillo v. Autokirey, Inc., 379 F.3d 4, 9 (1st Cir.2004) (“Even in the best
circumstance, the standards for granting a motion for judgment as a matter of law are stringent.”). Rule
50(a) motions will only be granted where “after having examined the evidence as well as all permissible
inferences drawn therefrom in the light most favorable to non-movant, the court finds that a reasonable jury
could not render a verdict to the party's favor.” Peguero-Moronta v. Santiago, 464 F.3d 29, 45 (1st Cir.
2006)(citing Figueroa–Torres v. Toledo–Davila, 232 F.3d 270, 273 (1st Cir.2000)); see also Mayo v.
Schooner Capital Corp., 825 F.2d 566, 568 (1st Cir.1987)(“[W]e must examine the evidence in the light
most favorable to the plaintiff and determine whether there are facts and inferences reasonably drawn from
those facts which lead to but one conclusion—that there is a total failure of evidence to prove plaintiff's
case.”); and Fed. R. Civ. P. 50(a). In conducting its analysis, the Court may not, and will not, “take into
account the credibility of witnesses, resolve evidentiary conflicts, nor ponder the weight of the evidence
introduced at trial.” Irvine v. Murad Skin Research Labs., Inc., 194 F.3d 313, 316–17 (1st Cir.1999)).
However, the Court must ensure that the judgment rests upon “more than conjecture and speculation.” Am.
Steel Erectors v. Local Union No. 7, Int'l Ass'n of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental & Reinforcing Iron
Workers, 815 F.3d 43, 52 (1st Cir. 2016)(citing Trigano v. Bain & Co., Inc., 380 F.3d 22, 28–29 (1st
Cir.2004)); see also Webber v. Int’l Paper Co., 417 F.3d 229, 233 (1st Cir. 2005)(holding that a party
cannot prevail where the verdict necessarily rests upon evidence which is overly speculative or
conjectural)(citing Ricci v. Alternative Energy Inc., 211 F.3d 157, 162 (1st Cir.2000)). Also, the Court need
not disregard uncontradicted evidence which favors the defendants. See Peguero-Moronta, 464 F.3d at 45
(1st Cir. 2006); see also Santiago–Negron v. Castro–Davila, 865 F.2d 431, 445 (1st Cir.1989). Finally, and
most important, Plaintiff must have presented “more than a mere scintilla of evidence in its favor” to
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withstand a motion for judgment as a matter of law. Invest Almaz v. Temple–Inland Forest Prods. Corp.,
243 F.3d 57, 76 (1st Cir.2001).
ANALYSIS
Article 1802 states that “a person who by an act or omission causes damage to another through
fault or negligence shall be obliged to repair the damage so done.” 31 P.R. Laws Ann. § 5141. Under
Article 1802, a plaintiff suing for personal injuries must prove four elements by a preponderance of the
evidence: 1) a duty requiring the defendant to conform to a certain standard of conduct; 2) a breach of that
duty; 3) proximate cause; and 4) damages. Coyne v. Taber Partners I, 53 F.3d 454, 459-462 (1st Cir.
1995); Woods-Leber v. Hyatt Hotels of P.R., 124 F.3d 47, 50 (1st Cir. 1997). “These requirements cannot
be satisfied unless the plaintiff proves that the injury was reasonably foreseeable, and, thus, could have
been avoided had the defendant acted with due care.” Woods-Leber, 124 F.3d at 50-51. Therefore, to
recover on a theory of negligence, Plaintiff must show that the negligent acts or omissions of the
defendants were the proximate cause of his injuries. Malave-Felix v. Volvo Car Corp., 946 F.2d 967 (1st
Cir. 1991)(stating that Puerto Rico defines legal cause as “proximate cause,” and not actual or factual
cause). Because the existence of damages is not disputed, the Court will center on whether or not Plaintiff
has provided evidence of Defendants’ legal duty of care to pedestrians, Defendants’ potential breach of
those duties, and that those breaches were proximate causes of his injuries. Failure to provide “more than
a mere scintilla of evidence” of any of aforementioned elements of a prima facie 1802 claim entitles
defendants to judgment as a matter of law. See Invest-Almaz, 243 F.3d at 76.
Duty and Breach
Breach of duty “has, as its name implies, two sub-elements: duty and breach.” Vazquez-Filippetti v.
Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, 504 F.3d 43, 49 (1st Cir. 2007). Usually, “the duty is defined by the general
rule that one must act as would a prudent and reasonable person under the circumstances.” Id. In other
words, the duty of care “is anticipating reasonably probable injuries to probable victims.” Irvine v. Murad
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Skin Research Laboratories, Inc., 194 F.3d 313, 322 (1st Cir. 1999). To satisfy a legal duty, typically “one
must act as would a prudent and reasonable person under the circumstances.” See Ortiz v. Levitt & Sons
of P.R., Inc., 1 P.R. Offic. Trans. 407 (1973)); see also Claybaugh v. Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino, 2010
WL 2998853, at *4 (D.P.R. 2010).
Where determining the applicable standard of care requires experience or knowledge that the
average lay person does not have, “the plaintiff must present evidence, usually through an expert witness,
as to the relevant standard of care for the design and the way(s) in which the defendant's design fell below
that standard.” Vazquez-Filippetti, 504 F.3d at 49; see also Prado Alvarez v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco
Co., 313 F.Supp.2d 61, 73 (D.P.R.2004), aff'd, 405 F.3d 36 (1st Cir.2005). In cases involving the actions of
third-parties, such as Riviere-Andino, “it is particularly critical that a plaintiff present evidence of the
applicable standard of care to demonstrate that the defendant had a duty to foresee” the third-party’s
conduct. Id. at 54. In sum, like in medical malpractice cases, where determining the applicable duty of care
is also beyond the purview of a lay jury, evidence sufficient to assist the jury in understanding Defendants’
duty of care to pedestrians is essential. See, e.g., Pages-Ramirez v. Ramirez-Gonzalez, 605 F.3d 109, 113
(1st Cir. 2010); Rojas–Ithier v. Sociedad Espanola de Auxilio Mutuo y Beneficiencia de P.R., 394 F.3d 40,
43 (1st Cir.2005) (citing Rolon–Alvarado v. Municipality of San Juan, 1 F.3d 74, 78 (1st Cir.1993); and
Lama v. Borras, 16 F.3d 473, 478 (1st Cir.1994)).
i.

Defendant CSA Architects and Engineers, LLP

Plaintiff’s theory of liability seeks to impose fault upon the general contractor and the designer of a
construction project for an accident involving a jaywalking pedestrian struck by an automobile. Plaintiff has
not alleged that a third-party created a dangerous condition without CSA’s knowledge. Plaintiff avers CSA’s
design of the MOT made the area surrounding the Project inherently dangerous to pedestrians.
Specifically, Plaintiff alleges CSA improperly placed the cement barrier blocking the southernmost sidewalk
of the Avenue at midblock, not at the intersection. See Vazquez–Filippetti, 504 F.3d at 50 (claims based on
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allegedly dangerous properties can alternatively take the form of a defective or negligent design case); see
also, e.g., Docket No. 905. Therefore, like the plaintiff in Vazquez-Filippetti, Plaintiff has brought forth a
negligent design claim against CSA. See id. (Pedestrian who was struck by a car while using bank's
outdoor ATM brought personal injury action against bank, liability insurer and driver of car. The First Circuit
found Plaintiff’s claims against the bank consisted of negligent design claims.). Because a lay jury certainly
may not rely on personal experience and knowledge to establish the duty of care owed to pedestrians by
designers of temporary management of traffic plans, Plaintiff must have presented “evidence [at trial] as to
the applicable standard of care, because the jury must be sufficiently familiar with that standard to evaluate
whether [CSA’s MOT] design complied with it,” Id. at 51.
Plaintiff does not argue that the duty of care in this case is within the purview of a lay jury. Instead,
he argues the holding in Vazquez-Filippetti is inapplicable to the instant case because “two (2) engineers
were called to testify [Edgardo Velez of Q.B. and Ruth Vargas of CSA], and [Ruth Vargas] . . . defined the
standard of care . . .” Docket No. 905 at 4. In support of his position, Plaintiff provided excerpts from
Vargas’ trial testimony where she purportedly defines the standard of care applicable to CSA. Specifically,
Plaintiff includes excerpts of Vargas’ testimony from March 9, 2016, where she stated that where “there’s a
sidewalk [being demolished], you have to provide for it” and where she recognized that the MOT did not
force pedestrians to cross at the intersection. Id. at 5. Plaintiff also included an excerpt from Vargas’
testimony on that same day where she referred to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
(“MUTCD”) as the “Bible” of MOT designers. Id. at 7. Plaintiff concludes that Vargas’ testimony is sufficient
to establish that “the failure to close off the sidewalk up to the intersection [of Fernandez Juncos Avenue
and Valdes Street] was a design choice based on information9 that Ruth Vargas knew was not correct,” and
was a breach of CSA’s legal duty to pedestrians. See Docket No. 905 at 9. However, Plaintiff’s conclusion
lacks the requisite legal and evidentiary support.
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Information regarding the possible placement of a Metropolitan Bus Authority bus stop between the barrier and the intersection.
8

Once again, the Court notes that Plaintiff “bears the burden of establishing the applicable standard
of care.” Vazquez–Filippetti, 504 F.3d at 50. After analyzing hundreds of pages of trial transcripts, Plaintiff
was unable to reproduce testimony that assures the Court the jury is “sufficiently familiar with that standard
to evaluate whether the defendant's design complied with it.” Id. at 51. Vargas’ testimony that she had to
“provide” for a demolished sidewalk is insufficient. The testimony alone does not help the jury understand
what she meant by “providing” for a demolished sidewalk. Further, her testimony that the MOT did not
“force” pedestrians to cross at the intersection of Fernandez Juncos Avenue and Valdes Street, and that
the only way to force pedestrians to cross at the intersection was to place the cement barrier at the level of
the intersection, is also insufficient. Specifically, Plaintiff Vargas never stated, and no evidence has been
introduced on the matter, that the applicable standard of care for MOT designers placing barriers on
sidewalks is to force pedestrians to cross at the intersection nor has she established the lengths a designer
must go to in “forcing” pedestrians to cross at the intersection. Further, the MUTCD, a traffic engineer’s
Bible, has not been admitted into evidence and cannot be considered by the Court.
As the record stands today, Plaintiff is asking the jury to determine the duty of care an MOT
designer owes to pedestrians based solely on several vague statements by the MOT’s designer with no
further elaboration or documentary support. Without making speculative leaps, a lay juror would not be able
to reliably determine the parameters of this CSA’s duty of care nor would a juror be able to discern what
Vargas implied when she testified regarding the MOT. Further, lay jurors could not make a reliable
determination regarding whether or not placing a barrier several hundred feet from an intersection
constitutes a breach of CSA’s duty of care. Accordingly, as the record is devoid of documentary evidence,
factual testimony, or expert testimony clarifying the standard of care applicable to CSA in a manner
sufficient for lay jurors to understand the complexities of the duties of an MOT designer, Plaintiff’s negligent
design claim fails as a matter of law. See, e.g., Vazquez-Filippetti (Reversing the District Court’s denial of a

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Rule 50(a) motion because the Plaintiff had failed to provide evidence sufficient for lay jurors to understand
the complex duty of care.)
ii.

Defendant Q.B. Construction, Inc.

Like his arguments against Defendant CSA, Plaintiff’s allegations against Q.B. involve matters
beyond the knowledge of lay persons. Plaintiff alleges Q.B. was responsible for the safety of pedestrians
during the construction of the Project, as provided for by local law and industry standards. See Docket No.
903 at 4. Plaintiff lists several documents in support of his position that he has presented sufficient
evidence of the applicable duty of care—Section 20MT102 of the MOT; Sections 10.1 and 10.2 of the
general conditions of Q.B.’s contract with the project manager; and the Puerto Rico Supreme Court’s
decision in Ramos v. Carlo, 85 D.P.R. 353 (1962). See id. We discuss each document in turn.
20MT102
Plaintiff argues the MOT provides a satisfactory framework of the duty of care Q.B. owes to
pedestrians. Specifically, Plaintiff asserts General Notes 9, 10, and 12 of Section 20MT102 establish Q.B.’s
duty of care.10 Note 9 states “[t]he Contractor shall provide adequate illumination in the work area at all
times.” See Plaintiff’s Exhibit 16, 20MOT102. Plaintiff asserts this duty was breached on the night of the
accident as a lightpost within the construction site, right beside the cement barrier, was flickering on that
evening. See Plaintiff’s Exhibits 9-G (photo taken on the night of the accident showing the lightpost on), 9-B
(photo taken on the night of the accident showing the lightpost off), and 9-F (photo taken on the night of the
accident showing the lightpost on).
First, the fact the lightpost was sometimes on and other times off is irrelevant to the Court’s
analysis. Ruth Vargas testified at trial that Note #9 did not require Q.B. to ascertain whether the light post
on the southern sidewalk within the construction site was functioning properly. She testified that Q.B.

The General Notes on the MOT were written by the Puerto Rico Highway and Transit Authority, the governmental agency who
analyzed and approved CSA’s MOT plan.
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10

Construction was to provide lighting only if it was “moving a lightpost, or turning one off, or illuminating one
as part of the project construction.” Docket No. 645 at p. 20, lines 13-21.11 Plaintiff counters that Ruth
Vargas’ testimony regarding illumination is a matter of credibility and weight for the jury, as it allegedly
contradicts the writing of the note. This may be so. However, in light of the fact that Ruth Vargas designed
the MOT, and that she was brought as a witness to discuss the preparation and design process of the
MOT, this argument is unpersuasive. The argument is further weakened by Plaintiff’s own argument, made
while discussing CSA’s duty of care, that Ruth Vargas testified as an engineering expert. The Court may
not hold Vargas to be an expert when it benefits Plaintiff and then disregard her uncontroverted testimony
on Note #9 when it does not.
Second, the language of Note #9 is vague. The note refers to providing adequate lighting in the
work area, yet does not delineate what would be considered inadequate, what are the limits of the work
area, nor does it define the purpose of this note—whether to protect workers at night or to protect those
walking outside the construction. Plaintiff would have the Court believe the Note imposes an absolute duty
upon Q.B. to ensure all lightposts within the construction limits are functioning properly. The Court is
skeptical of this argument, considering Third-Party Defendant Puerto Rico Electric and Power Authority
(“PREPA”) is the sole entity with the power and means to repair public utilities. See 22 P.R. Laws § 196(g)(l) (delineating PREPA’s powers and duties, including exclusive duty of maintenance and repair of public
lighting utilities).
Finally, as the record stands, the extent of Q.B.’s duty to provide illumination, if any, is unclear. On
this subject, the record only contains the Note itself and Vargas’ testimony regarding the note’s meaning.
Because the testimony and the language of the Note are contradictory, the true implications of the Note are
unknown. Without evidence clarifying the implications of these types of notes in the construction industry,
the Court cannot find Plaintiff has met his burden of providing evidence regarding the applicable duty of
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No other witness has testified regarding Note #9. Ruth Vargas’ testimony on this matter is the only evidence on the record.
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care.12 Tasking a lay jury with deciding what is “adequate lighting within the working area” without
specifically delineating the parameters of adequacy, without establishing the limits of the “working area,”
and without providing evidence regarding the the intention of the Note requires the factfinder to deliberate
blindly, armed with nothing more than unsubstantiated speculation.
Plaintiff avers that, regardless of Note #9’s significance, Note #10 imposes an independent duty of
care towards pedestrians upon Q.B. and Q.B. breached this duty. Note #10 provides that Q.B. “shall read
the Specification Number 63813 ‘Maintenance and Protection of Traffic,’ of the Standard Specification
Manual.” See Plaintiff’s Exhibit 16, 20MT102; see also Plaintiff’s ID 29. The Note alludes to Specification
638, a document never admitted into evidence, which imposes certain duties upon a project contractor.
Specifically, Specification 638 reads “the contractor . . . has the primary responsibility for providing the
necessary traffic control devices and taking other appropriate measures for the protection of the public and
his personnel.” Plaintiff reads this as imposing duties upon Q.B. to monitor the effectiveness of CSA’s MOT
in controlling pedestrian traffic. On the other hand, Ruth Vargas testified the Puerto Rico Highway and
Transit Authority (“PRHTA”) is responsible for ensuring MOT is having the intended results. See Docket No.
644 at pages 63, 70, and 109-112 (“The MUTCD stipulates that it’s the governing agency [which ensures
the MOT is working properly], which in this case is the [PRHTA].”). However, whether or not Note #10
imposes safety duties upon Q.B., or whether PRHTA is the entity responsible for pedestrian safety, is
inconsequential. Without a witness, preferably an expert, to explain to the jury what traffic control devices
are “necessary” and what “other appropriate measures” would be sufficient for a contractor to comply with
Specification 638, Plaintiff cannot meet his burden in establishing the applicable duty of care.

Throughout his Opposition to Q.B.’s Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law (Docket No. 903) Plaintiff alludes to the fact that
Ruth Vargas’ testimony regarding this note is self-serving as Q.B. is also a named defendant. However, this is an absurd
argument in light of the fact that Q.B. Construction filed a Third-Party Complaint against CSA and, thus, both defendants’
interests are at odds. See Docket No. 90.
13 Whether or not Specification 638 applies to Q.B. Construction in the first place is disputed. However, the Court will analyze
Note #10 as if Specification 638 applies to Q.B. and has been admitted into evidence in order to afford Plaintiff every conceivable
opportunity to have his case reach the jury.
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The language of Note #11 leads the Court to the same conclusion. Plaintiff correctly noted that no
evidence has been presented to contradict the Note, which states “the Contractor shall provide access to
all business entrances at all times. No business shall be left without an access after working hours end.
Orange safety fences shall be installed between the sidewalk and the working area for the safety of the
pedestrian flow.” The Note appears to address potential blockages of business entrances by the
construction. However, Plaintiff asseverates Q.B.’s failure to install an orange safety fence on the median
between the northern sidewalk of Calle del Tren and the construction site, which would force pedestrians to
the intersection, was a breach of their duty of care to pedestrians. Further, Plaintiff alleges Q.B. breached
their duty of care to pedestrians for failing to install an orange safety blocking off the portion of the
southernmost sidewalk between the barrier and the intersection, which would force pedestrians to cross at
the intersection. Although the language of Note #11 is uncontroverted, and testimony has not been
admitted to contradict it, the Note itself provides little guidance to a lay juror in determining an appropriate
standard of care. Moreover, the Note appears to be directed primarily at contractors blocking business
entrances and does not appear intended to establish any particular duty of care. Obviously, the Note itself
is insufficient to provide a sufficient framework for a juror to understand its ramifications.
The General Notes alone are insufficient for lay jurors to understand the complexities of the duties
of a contractor towards pedestrians around a construction area. First, pedestrians are not mentioned in the
General Notes. The closest reference to pedestrians comes in Specification 638, where the contractor is
charged with ensuring the public safety and pedestrians are members of the general public. Second, the
Notes are rife with vague terms like “adequate”, “appropriate”, and “necessary” which, without further
elaboration, provide little guidance to a juror with no prior experience as a general contractor in projects of
this sort. Accordingly, allowing the jury to deliberate regarding breach of the alleged duties imposed upon
Q.B. Construction in 20MT102 would contravene Vazquez-Filippetti’s holding that, prior to deliberating on a

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complex duty of care, the jury must be “sufficiently familiar with that standard to evaluate whether the
defendant . . . complied with it.” See 504 F.3d at 51.
Sections 10.1 and 10.2 of the General Conditions of Q.B.’s Contract
Aside from the MOT documents, Plaintiff also directs the Court to Article 10 of the General
Conditions of Q.B. Construction’s contract with the Project Manager. See Joint Exhibit 1. The Conditions
read as follows:
§ 10.1 Safety Precautions and Programs
The Contractor shall be responsible for initiating, maintaining, and
supervising all safety precautions and programs in connection with the
performance of the Contract.
§10.2 Safety of Persons and Property
The Contractor shall take reasonable precautions for safety of, and shall
provide reasonable protection to prevent damage, injury or loss to:
1. Employees on the Work and other persons who may be affected
thereby;
2. The Work and materials and equipment to be incorporated therein,
whether in storage on or off the site, under care, custody or control of
the Contract or the Contractor’s Subcontractors or Subsubcontractors; and
3. Other property at the site or adjacent thereto, such as trees, shrubs,
lawns, walks, pavements, roadways, structures, and utilities not
designated for removal, relocation, or replacement in the course of
construction.
Based on this language, Plaintiff understands the jury may deliberate on whether or not Q.B. complied with
its duty of care to pedestrians. However, the operative word above is “reasonable.” Undoubtedly, discerning
between a reasonable contractor and an unreasonable contractor is beyond the purview of a lay jury. The
General Conditions of Q.B.’s contract are not sufficient to establish the appropriate duty of care. See
Vazquez-Filippetti, supra page 13 at 51.
Ramos v. Carlo, 85 D.P.R. 353 (1962)
In a last ditch attempt to persuade the Court, Plaintiff directs the Court towards the Supreme Court
of Puerto Rico’s decision in Ramos v. Carlo, 85 D.P.R. 353 (1962). As a threshold matter, Plaintiff’s failure
14

to provide a certified translation of the decision is sufficient grounds to entirely disregard this argument. See
Puerto Ricans For Puerto Rico Party v. Dalmau, 544 F.3d 58, 67 (1st Cir. 2008)( "Where a party makes a
motion [ ] based on a decision that was written in a foreign language, the party must provide the district
court with and put into the record an English translation of the decision."). In yet another act of generosity
by the Court, prevalent throughout this case, the Court will briefly address Plaintiff’s flawed interpretation
Ramos decision.
The Ramos court held that sidewalks are a place of privilege for pedestrian security. See Ramos,
85 D.P.R. at 364.14 Thus, a pedestrian walking on a sidewalk must walk with a reasonable degree of
caution, aware of her surroundings, but is not forced to walk in constant vigilance and in search of any
hidden hazards or dangerous conditions product of another’s negligence. See id. Accordingly, when a sixtyyear (60) old woman was injured when she tripped on metal strips discarded on a public sidewalk, and the
debris was product of the activities of a nearby business owner, the court found the business owner had
been negligent for creating a hazard that could not be perceived by a reasonably cautious pedestrian. See
id. Plaintiff understands the decision as imposing a duty upon Q.B. to keep the sidewalk reasonably safe.
Plaintiff avers Q.B. breached that duty by installing the cement barrier on the southernmost sidewalk of the
Avenue.
Nine years after Ramos, the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico decided Vazquez v. A.F.F., 99 D.P.R.
547 (1971).15 There, the plaintiff sought redress for injuries sustained after tripping on a power cable bolted
to the ground on a public sidewalk. The court held that pedestrians need not be warned of obstacles in
plain view to a person walking with a reasonable degree of caution. See id. at 550. As such, a pedestrian
who is harmed by an object which is in plain view was, by definition, not reasonably cautious. See id.

14
15

Translation by the Court.
Translation by the Court.
15

In light of the above stated principles, the Court finds Plaintiff’s argument has little merit. Had
Plaintiff tripped, fell, and injured himself on construction equipment left on the sidewalk by Q.B., Ramos
may apply. However, the cement barrier was in plain view and Plaintiff was not injured by the cement
barrier. Plaintiff was injured by a driver who ran him over as he attempted to cross the Avenue while
jaywalking. Further, although the court in Ramos held that pedestrians are to enjoy greater security
privileges on sidewalks, Plaintiff was not injured on the sidewalk. See Ramos, 85 D.P.R. at 364. In fact,
Plaintiff had not walked on the southernmost sidewalk at all immediately leading up to the accident.
Moreover, were Plaintiff to base his theory of liability on the Ramos decision, he would need evidence to
illustrate how a contractor who installed a cement barrier on the southern sidewalk of an avenue has
created a hazard that may have proximately caused an injury to a reasonably cautious pedestrian walking
on the opposite side of the avenue and crossing southbound. See Vazquez-Filippetti, supra, page 13 at 51.
Plaintiff has failed to provide evidence to those effects and, as such, his claim against Q.B. Construction
also fails as a matter of law.
iii.

Conclusions Regarding Breach of the Duty of Care

Whether or not a plaintiff has provided evidence to establish a duty of care is a question of law. See
Wojciechowicz, 582 F.3d at 66. To establish CSA and Q.B.’s duty of care to pedestrians affected by the
Project, Plaintiff was had to provide evidence sufficient to “allow the jury to properly evaluate defendant's
actions.” Claybaugh v. Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino, 2010 WL 2998853, at *5 (D.P.R. 2010). Plaintiff did
not. Therefore, Plaintiff has failed to meet the standards set forth in Vazquez-Filippetti.
Moreover, “absent proof of the legal duty owed . . . it is virtually impossible to prove either breach or
proximate cause.” Rolon-Alvarado v. Municipality of San Juan, 1 F.3d 74, 80 n.6 (1st Cir. 1993). “[B]reach,
after all, depends directly on the contours of the duty owed.” Id. In other words, without first establishing the
applicable duty of care, Plaintiff cannot establish that the duty has been breached and Plaintiff’s Article

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1802 claim fails on two essential prongs. Accordingly, Plaintiff’s claims against CSA Architects and
Engineers, LLP and Q.B. Construction, Inc. fail as a matter of law.
Proximate Cause
After a plaintiff demonstrates that the defendant breached its duty of care, plaintiff must show that
defendant’s negligence was the proximate cause of his injuries. Vazquez-Filippetti, 504 F.3d at 49; see
Malave-Felix, 946 F.2d at 972 (“one becomes liable, however, only if his negligence is the proximate cause
of someone else’s injuries.”). Under Article 1802, proximate cause is defined in terms of foreseeability,
which requires that a reasonable person could have foreseen the consequences of what actually occurred.
Vazquez-Filippetti, 504 F.3d at 49; Wojciechowicz v. U.S., 582 F.3d 57, 67 (1st Cir. 1999); Malave-Felix,
946 F.2d at 971-72; Grajales-Romero v. Am. Airlines, Inc., 194 F.3d 288 (1st Cir. 1999). “In order for an
event to be foreseeable, a reasonable, prudent person must be able to conclude from the evidence that ‘the
risk complained of is among the universe of risks recognizable by reasonably prudent persons acting with
due diligence under the same or similar circumstances.’” Coyne, 53 F.3d at 460. To establish proximate
cause, a “plaintiff must prove that the accident was ‘foreseeable and could have been avoided if the
defendant had not breached its duty of care.’” Wojciechowicz, 582 F.3d at 67 (quoting Grajales-Romero,
194 F.3d at 296).
The Court need not go further as Plaintiff’s Article 1802 claim lost its footing when the Court found
Plaintiff had failed to provide evidence regarding duty and breach. See Rolon-Alvarado, 1 F.3d at 80 n.6
(“proximate cause, in turn, depends on the nature and effect” of the breach of the legal duty owed). Further,
whether or not a breach of duty was the proximate cause of Plaintiff’s injuries is typically a question for the
factfinder. See Wojciechowicz, 582 F.3d at 66. However, the fact “[t]hat causation is ordinarily a fact
question does not make it invariably a fact question” Russo v. Baxter Healthcare Corp., 140 F.3d 6, 12
(1st Cir. 1998)(citing Peckham v. Continental Casualty Ins. Co., 895 F.2d 830, 837 (1st Cir.1990)
(emphasis in original)). Notwithstanding, because of the conjectural nature of Plaintiff’s theory, the Court
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felt compelled to delve into a brief analysis of Plaintiff’s proximate cause theory assuming, arguendo, that
Plaintiff had successfully established duty and breach.
Because Plaintiff charges both Q.B. and CSA with failing to take adequate measures to force
pedestrians to the intersection,16 Plaintiff had to present evidence that Defendants’ failure to do so was a
proximate cause of Plaintiff’s injuries. In other words, Plaintiff must have provided evidence sufficient for a
reasonable juror to determine that Plaintiff’s accident was “foreseeable and could have been avoided if
[Defendants had forced pedestrians towards the intersection].” Grajales–Romero, 194 F.3d at 296; see also
Woods-Leber, 124 F.3d at 51. Due to his injuries, Plaintiff was unable to testify about what prompted him to
cross the Avenue when and where he did on October 22, 2011. Merchant marines Oliver Scotland, Ricky
Ferrol17, Carlos Gordon, and Rolando Medrano testified at trial, presumably to show the jury how merchant
marines were behaving in crossing the Avenue after the barrier was installed on the southernmost
sidewalk.
The Court notes two observations gleaned from the testimony of these men—the merchant
marines’ testimony regarding their walking habits was consistent from witness to witness and neither of
them mentioned the location of the barrier on the southern sidewalk as the reason they would jaywalk.
Specifically, all the merchant marines testified that their that their only concern when deciding where to
cross was the “hot corner” near the Salvation Army building on the northwest corner of the intersection
between the Avenue and Valdes Street, an area where several homeless men gathered in the evenings.
Specifically, the men testified that, once the southern sidewalk was closed for construction, they would
always cross the Avenue illegally18 to avoid the men on the corner. See Docket No. 645 at 66, lines 19-25
(testimony of Oliver Scotland regarding avoiding the “hot corner”); id. at 228, line 13-16 (testimony of

Plaintiff avers Q.B. should have fenced off the area between the barrier and the intersection with orange mesh, pursuant to the
General Notes of the MOT.
17 Ricky Ferrol testified on behalf of Defendants.
18 See 9 P.R. Laws Ann. §5252 (Puerto Rico law requiring pedestrians to cross roadways at the pedestrian crosswalk).
16

18

Rolando Medrano regarding avoiding the “hot corner”); Docket No. 647 at 37, lines 3-7 (testimony of Carlos
Gordon regarding avoiding the “hot corner” and being offered marijuana on one occasion by one of the
beggars); and Docket No. 659 at 17, line 25 (testimony of Ricky Ferrol regarding avoiding the “hot
corner”)19. However, neither CSA nor Q.B. is, or would be, responsible for ensuring the “hot corner” was
clear of any safety hazards. Instead, Puerto Rico law provides that Municipalities are responsible for
maintaining their sidewalks “reasonably safe.” Del Toro v. Gov’t. of the Capital, 93 P.R.R. 467, 471
(1966)(“The municipalities are bound to maintain their streets and sidewalks in reasonably safe condition
for the persons who usually travel thereon.”)(quoting Davidson v. H.I. Hettinger & Co., 62 P.R.R. 286
(1943) and Velez v. The Capital, 77 P.R.R. 663 (1954)). Because the Municipality of San Juan is no longer
a defendant, the entity that may have been liable for failing to ensure the safety of those who walked by the
corner is no longer party to the suit. See Docket No. 474.
In order to avoid the corner, Medrano, who witnessed Plaintiff’s accident from the southern
sidewalk of the Avenue, testified that he would “[scurry] along the edge of the concrete barriers on the edge
of the road.” Docket No. 645 at 160, lines 19-25. Gordon, who was walking with Plaintiff on the night of the
accident, also testified that “[they] used to use the outside of the barrier, outside of the construction . . .
[t]oward San Juan and back to the vessel.” Docket No. 647 at 94, lines 1-23. Gordon testified that “skirting
the barriers” was their preferred path to Old San Juan until a group of merchant marines “almost got run
down.” Id. Perhaps most damning to Plaintiff, however, was Gordon’s admission that “[merchants marines]
don’t go up to [the intersection of the Avenue and Valdes Street] because there is a hot corner . . . [w]e
don’t cross there because – we cross where we cross.” Id. at 46. Later in his testimony, to questions from
counsel for CSA, Gordon reaffirmed his position that he would “avoid the people [on the hot corner]
The Court emphasizes that the “hot corner” issue has no bearing on the liability of any of the named parties. The corner itself
was not under the dominion of any party, nor were the alleged beggars who would gather on the corner. Furthermore, some
merchant marines testified that the stoplight at the intersection of Fernandez Juncos Avenue and Valdes Street, at times, did not
work properly. However, the stoplight was unquestionably functioning properly on the night of the accident. See Plaintiff’s Exhibit
9-H and 9-X; see also Docket No. 785 at 10, lines 19-21 (photographs taken at the scene of the accident at approximately
10:00PM on the night of the accident by Agent Luis Torres-Ostolaza).
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because [he is] not here for trouble in San Juan” even if the barricade was installed at the traffic light. Id.
Lastly, Ricky Ferrol, the only merchant marine who testified to having crossed at the crosswalk with
Plaintiff, mentioned that the only time he used the pedestrian crosswalk was when the men were not on the
corner. See Docket No. 659 at 18, lines 1-8.
Based on the testimony, and absent the Plaintiff’s own account, only speculation could prompt the
conclusion that Plaintiff’s motivation in crossing the Avenue where he did was the location on the barrier
and not the men that were located on the corner that night. See Rodriguez v. Señor Frog's de la Isla, Inc.,
642 F.3d 28, 36 (1st Cir. 2011) (“[S]peculation or conjecture will not cut it when it comes to proximate
cause.”); see also Docket No. 647 at 52, lines 24-25 (testimony from Carlos Gordon that he saw men on
the “hot corner” prior to the accident). Further, no reasonable juror could find that Plaintiff was the only
merchant marine who decided to cross at midblock because he could, and not because he felt compelled to
avoid the men on the corner. This conclusion would be directly contrary to what all his shipmates were
doing.
Although the Court is cognizant of its duty to make all reasonable inferences in Plaintiff’s favor, the
only reasonable inference to draw regarding Plaintiff’s decision to cross where he did is that he sought to
avoid the men on the “hot corner.” Based on the testimony from the merchant marine walking with Plaintiff
that evening to and from Old San Juan, merchant marines would have avoided the hot corner, even in the
event that Defendants had actually attempted to force pedestrians to the intersection. Thus, although
jaywalking is foreseeable pedestrian behavior in Puerto Rico, Plaintiff’s witnesses testified that, regardless
of the barrier’s location, they would still jaywalk and/or skirt the cement barriers in order to avoid the men
on the “hot” corner. This fact is fatal to Plaintiff’s proximate cause argument. Further, no testimony has
been heard on why Plaintiff elected to break away from Carlos Gordon, who was speaking to a fellow
merchant marine, and cross the Avenue when nobody else was crossing, with cars approaching in both

20

directions. See Docket No. 647 at 20, lines 7-15. This inexplicable decision makes Plaintiff’s proximate
cause argument significantly more abstract.
As such, the Court finds Plaintiff has failed to present “more than a mere scintilla of evidence in its
favor” on the issue of proximate cause. See Invest Almaz v. Temple–Inland Forest Prods. Corp., 243 F.3d
57, 76 (1st Cir.2001). Based on the evidence on the record, specifically the testimony of Plaintiff’s fellow
merchant marines, no reasonable juror could find the location of the barrier, or any Defendant’s failure to
force pedestrians to the intersection, was a proximate cause of Plaintiff’s injuries on that night. See
Peguero-Moronta v. Santiago, 464 F.3d 29, 45 (1st Cir. 2006). Accordingly, in addition to failing as a matter
of law on the prongs of duty and breach, Plaintiff’s Article 1802 claim fails to establish a conceivable, nonspeculative theory of proximate cause.
CONCLUSION
Despite his arguments to the contrary, without an expert witness to delineate the appropriate industry
standards applicable to each defendant, explain the extent of any potential breaches of those duties, and
elaborate a conceivable theory of proximate cause, Plaintiff’s case cannot survive Defendants’ motions.
Even after examining the evidence in the light most favorable to Plaintiff and making all reasonable
inferences in his favor, the Court is left with only one conclusion—there is an absolute lack of evidence to
prove Plaintiff’s case. See Mayo v. Schooner Capital Corp., 825 F.2d 566, 568 (1st Cir.1987).
Plaintiff’s Article 1802 claim rests upon four pillars, all of which he must substantiate with
testimonial evidence. Failure to provide evidence of any of the four prongs is fatal. In other words, under
Article 1802, a Plaintiff’s claim is a house of cards. If one of Plaintiff’s cards falls, the house crumbles. Here,
the parties agree that Plaintiff sustained injuries on October 22, 2011. However, aside from the parties’
agreement damages, Plaintiff has failed to provide evidence of any other prong. On Defendants’ legal
duties of care, Plaintiff failed to provide evidence that would “allow the jury to properly evaluate defendant's
actions.” Vazquez-Filippetti, 504 F.3d at 49. Without an established duty, Plaintiff’s house of cards
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collapses as “it is virtually impossible to prove either breach or proximate cause.” Rolon-Alvarado, 1 F.3d at
80 n. 6. Finally, Plaintiff failed to provide any evidence that the placement of the barriers on the
southernmost sidewalk, or the failure to force pedestrians to the intersection, had any bearing on the
sequence of events of October 22, 2011 as all fact witnesses testified that they would never cross at the
intersection when there were men on the “hot corner,”. See Wojciechowicz, 582 F.3d at 67.
Based on the analysis above, Defendants are independently entitled to judgment as a matter of law
on the issue of legal duty, breach, and proximate cause. See Coyante v. Puerto Rico Ports Auth., 105 F.3d
17, 19 (1st Cir. 1997)(Affirming the District Court’s entry of Judgment as a Matter of Law where Plaintiff had
failed to provide evidence of all essential elements of a tort claim.). As the old adage goes, reasonable
minds can differ. However, only unreasonable minds could find in Plaintiff's favor as the record stands
today. Accordingly, the Court hereby GRANTS Defendants’ Motions for Judgment as a Matter of Law
(Docket Nos. 884 and 887) and hereby DISMISSES the present case WITH PREJUDICE. Judgment is to
be entered accordingly.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, this 7th day of September, 2016.
/s/ DANIEL R. DOMINGUEZ
DANIEL R. DOMINGUEZ
U.S. District Judge

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