Woman Hit By Car, Seriously Injured By Meineke Auto Worker In Union Co.: Lawsuit

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ — A woman has filed a lawsuit against a Meineke Auto shop in Union County claiming an employee backed a car into her causing her "severe and permanent personal injuries."

Larisa Gritsay, 77, of Springfield, filed the lawsuit in Union County Superior Court on April 10 against Meineke at 1149 Route 22 East in Mountainside.

On Dec. 2, 2023, the lawsuit alleges Gritsay was at the Meinike to pick up her car when an employee was trying to back a four-door sedan out of a mechanic's bay.

The employee hit Gritsay as a pedestrian, knocking her to the ground and causing serious injuries, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit claims Meineke and the employee were "negligent for operating a vehicle in a careless and reckless manner" and also failing to make proper observation of Gritsay.

Gritsay claims she suffered severe and permanent personal injuries including a comminuted fracture through the diaphyseal region of the left humerus with mild overlap and angulation laterally as well as neck and back injuries as yet to be determined.

The lawsuit claims the injuries will cause Gritsay great pain and suffering and she will have to pay large sums of money to cure herself of her injuries and will also be deprived of attending to her usual activities.

Gritsay is demanding judgment from Meineke for damages along with interest and the cost of the lawsuit.

Meineke did not respond to Patch's request for comment but the company did file an answer to the complaint on May 1 denying the allegations.

In Meineke's answer, it also claims the incident was due to the "sole negligence of the plaintiff."

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