Recent Money Damages Awards
In the News & Across the United States.
Every case is different. The awards below do not indicate the success in your particular case. Contact Walwyn & Walwyn for a free consultation and see to determine whether you are entitled to money damages for your injury.
Boy Killed in Gate Accident. Family Recovers Money Damages
A Massachusetts city has agreed to pay $600,000 to the family of a child who was crushed when a 1,600-pound gate fell on him while he played at a local elementary school. The unsecured iron gate killed 11-year-old Timothy DiLeo and injured his younger brother on Labor Day 2007. State law caps settlement amounts in such cases at $600,000. AP, Boston Herald 05/13/2009
Security Guard Trampled to Death.
Retail giant Wal-Mart will pay a combined $2 million to avoid criminal charges in the trampling death of a security guard last year. Under the settlement, Wal-Mart has agreed to improve safety procedures for its post-Thanksgiving sales, create a victims compensation fund and give $1.5 million to social services and nonprofit groups. Temporary security guard Jdimytai Damour died after thousands of shoppers crashed through a door on Black Friday crushing him. Reuters, Reuters 05/06/2009
Asbestos Exposure
The family of a woman who developed mesothelioma from second-hand asbestos exposure should receive more than $2 million in damages, an Illinois jury determined last week. According to the lawsuit, the former Union Asbestos & Rubber Company, Owens Corning, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and others conspired to hide the dangers of asbestos from workers who came into contact with the substance. Juanita Rodarmel was exposed to asbestos while washing her husband’s clothes when he worked for Union Asbestos & Rubber, attorneys for the family argued. Staff, Pantagraph 05/01/2009
Brain Damage
A Tennessee jury has ordered a Chattanooga-area doctor to pay $6.12 million to a woman who suffered severe brain damages after undergoing a procedure intended to diagnose bowel problems. Jurors found that Dr. Michael Goodman was 51 percent at fault for failing to recognize symptoms of an intestinal tear caused by the procedure. An attorney for Goodman said they expect to appeal the jury’s verdict. Monica Mercer, Chattanooga Times Free Press 04/30/2009
Boy Drowns, Family Recovers Money Damages
A California jury on Monday awarded about $14 million to the family of a 4-year-old boy who drowned in a Santa Barbara-area athletic club swimming pool. After nearly three days of deliberations, jurors found that Cathedral Oaks Athletic Club, its owners and others were substantially negligent in the death of Yoni Gottesman. The jury is scheduled to determine potential punitive damages in the case later this week. Chris Meagher, Santa Barbara Independent 04/27/2009
Widow of Smoker
A Florida jury has ordered R.J. Reynolds Tobacco to pay $1.5 million to the widow of a smoker who died of lung cancer in 1996. In the verdict jurors found that the cigarette maker concealed information about the health effects of its product. Attorneys for R.J. Reynolds said they plan to appeal. Staff, Miami Herald 05/12/2009
Drunk Driving Death
Jurors found that Robert LaBarre was 85% liable in the death of Sheena Marie Villa, a passenger in his car when he crashed while driving drunk. Compensatory damages of $1.1 million were awarded to Villa’s family, along with $2 million in punitive damages. A bar where LaBarre had been served alcohol that night was found not liable in the death. Kevin Amerman, The Morning Call Online 05/09/2009
Taser Death
The mother of a 17-year-old boy who died after being shocked with a Taser has settled her lawsuit against the police. Roger Holyfield, who suffered from mental illness, was shocked at least twice by Jerseyville, Ill. police after ignoring warnings as he walked down a local street carrying a Bible and a cordless telephone and shouting "I want Jesus." The officers involved in the incident were not criminally charged. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed. Jim Suhr, Chicago Tribune 05/03/2009