San Patricio County Jury Awards $2.4M for Fatal Trucking Negligence

A wrongful death lawsuit was filed in Texas following a motor vehicle accident on or about May 20, 2011. The incident resulted in the death of a passenger, who was traveling in a vehicle owned by a lumber company and operated by an individual associated with the company. The plaintiffs, representing the decedent's estate and his daughter, alleged the accident was a direct result of negligence by the lumber company, its owners and officers, and the vehicle operator. The lawsuit sought damages on behalf of the decedent's estate to cover funeral and burial expenses, as well as compensation for physical pain, disfigurement, impairment, and mental anguish the decedent allegedly experienced before his death. Separately, the decedent's daughter sought damages for past and future mental anguish, loss of society, love, companionship, and a decrease in her inheritance resulting from her father's untimely death. The plaintiffs also pursued exemplary and punitive damages, along with pre-judgment interest, under Texas law. The filing requested the court to compel the defendants to respond and aimed for a favorable judgment. Details on the case's resolution were not available.

A negligence case was filed following a motor vehicle incident that involved a commercial vehicle. The plaintiff brought the action against the defendant. A defense expert specializing in areas such as forensic auditing and transportation safety was involved in the proceedings. The parties reached a settlement agreement, concluding the case on June 30, 2015.

On September 19, 2013, a front-seat passenger in a sedan was injured when the vehicle was rear-ended by a 15-passenger van on Interstate 37 Frontage Road in Corpus Christi, Texas. The plaintiff, a carpenter, subsequently filed a lawsuit against the van driver and the driver's employer, alleging vehicular negligence and claiming the collision aggravated a pre-existing back injury. The plaintiff reported immediate back pain that worsened the following day, leading to an emergency room visit. An orthopedic surgeon later confirmed the collision aggravated a pre-existing degenerative disc disease. The plaintiff, who had a non-debilitating history of back pain, underwent physical therapy, steroid injections, and ultimately a two-level lumbar fusion. Treating physicians testified the collision necessitated surgery and affected his ability to perform manual labor. The plaintiff sought damages for past and future medical costs, lost wages, and pain and mental anguish. While the defendants did not dispute negligence for the collision, they contested causation and the extent of injury. The defense argued the impact was minor, noting the police report indicated no immediate injuries and the van was traveling at low speed. Defense experts opined the plaintiff's back problems were attributable to his pre-existing degenerative condition, not the accident, and that he would sustain no wage loss. Following a five-day trial, the jury found the defendant driver negligent and determined his negligence was a factual cause of the plaintiff's injuries. The jury awarded the plaintiff $563,003 in damages. The court subsequently added $32,257.69 for pre-judgment interest and court costs, resulting in a total judgment of $595,360.46 for the plaintiff.

In Tarrant County, a plaintiff filed a lawsuit alleging negligence following a motor vehicle accident. The plaintiff claimed to have sustained bodily injuries, specifically soft tissue damage to the neck and back, as a result of the incident. A jury heard the case and delivered an 11-1 verdict in favor of the plaintiff. The jury found the defendant negligent and awarded damages totaling $2,226. This amount included $500 for past physical pain and mental anguish, and $1,726 for past medical care.

On August 14, 2014, a vehicular collision occurred in Houston, Texas, when the defendant's vehicle struck the rear of the plaintiff's vehicle. The plaintiff alleged the defendant, operating a company vehicle within the scope of employment, was traveling at an excessive rate of speed, failed to maintain a proper lookout, and did not keep a safe distance, causing severe injuries to the plaintiff's cervical and lumbar spine. The plaintiff filed a negligence lawsuit, claiming the defendant's actions led to significant neck and back disc injuries. The defendant failed to answer the complaint, resulting in a default judgment entered by the court. The court awarded the plaintiff $364,305 in damages. This included $200,000 for pain and suffering, $14,305 for past medical expenses, and $150,000 for future medical expenses. The judgment was granted due to the defendant's failure to respond to the legal complaint.