Connell's Argument
After years of supposed suffering, Connell filed a $127,000 lawsuit against her nephew for damages that ensued after his reckless and powerful hug. The suit stated:
“The injuries, losses, and harms to the plaintiff were caused by the negligence and carelessness of the minor defendant in that a reasonable eight-year-old under those circumstances would know or should have known that a forceful greeting such as the one delivered by the defendant to the plaintiff could cause the harms and losses suffered by the plaintiff.”
Grieving Boy
As the family sat in court, Sean, then 12 years old, appeared genuinely confused about the circumstances. He sat beside his father, Michael Tarala. His mother, Lisa Tarala, had died one year earlier. Regardless of the boy’s personal traumas, Connell insisted on pursuing the case.