$20 Million Personal Injury Settlement Sets Records
Freak accident leaves girl permanently injured, distribution company at fault
In what court officials say is the largest settlement in Outagamie County, WI court history, The Post Crescent reports the family of a 4½ year old girl will receive a $20 million settlement.
It was a minor crash, a freak accident, but it caused severe and permanent injuries to the little girl. In October 2008, a truck driven by a New London well-drilling company ran a red light and crashed into the van in which the little girl was riding. When the driver used the brakes before hitting the van, several pipes fell from the pipe rack and one smashed through a window in the van, striking the girl in the head.
She is now suffering from blindness, traumatic epilepsy and is functioning on the level of a two-year-old. She will need 24-hour care the rest of her life.
The lawsuit contends there was a defect in the manufacturing of the truck’s rack and the pipe rack was missing a front stop and the straps alone could not hold the pipes.
The driver and his company will pay $1 million of the settlement and the manufacturer of the pipe rack, Smeal Manufacturing of Nebraska will pay $300,000. The rest will be paid by the rack’s distributor, Boart Longyear Company of Wausau, WI.
The Munley, Munley, & Cartwright law firm has years of experience in personal injury claims. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of an accident caused by the carelessness or negligence of another, call our office today at 1-800-318-LAW1 for a free assessment of your case or use our Free Online Accident Case Evaluation.
Marion Munley
Marion Munley is recognized for her compassionate representation of catastrophically injured clients and
her steadfast dedication to them and their families. Her advocacy has produced numerous multimillion-dollar recoveries, including one of the largest trucking accident settlements on record. Marion is Triple Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Civil Trial, Civil Practice, and Truck Law, and since 2023 has been named one of Pennsylvania’s Top 10 Super Lawyers by Super Lawyers.
Posted in Personal Injury.
Tagged Fault Negligence
