$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.