Erie attorneys Patricia Ambrose and Jeff Connelly argued the case before Erie County Judge John Bozza on behalf of Shirley and Bruce Mays of North East.

Shirley Mays was injured in November 2003 when she fell outside Dick's Sporting Goods, west of the Millcreek Mall.

"It was a 12-inch diameter hole. ... She injured her shoulder quite severely. It has basically made her to rely on her husband to take care of her," Connelly said.

The attorneys said the couple, both now in their mid-70s, parked their car in a handicapped-parking space near Dick's. While they were walking through the parking lot of the pavilion -- owned by Cafaro Management Co., of Youngstown, Ohio -- Shirley Mays stepped into a water-filled hole.

Connelly and Ambrose said she fell and permanently injured her shoulder.

The attorneys said the hole remained open until 2006, when it was filled with concrete.

Jurors awarded Shirley Mays $1.5 million for her injuries; $1 million to Bruce Mays for the loss of the companionship of his wife; and $1,650 to reimburse the two for their insurance co-payment.

"This is a fair verdict for what she and her husband have gone through and will go through for the rest of their lives," Connelly said.

Cafaro attorney John Dodick did not respond to two calls for comment at his residence Friday evening. The Mayses could not be reached for comment.

Jurors in Erie County Court on Friday awarded a North East couple $2.5 million for injuries they suffered in a fall outside a Millcreek Pavilion store.