A Baton Rouge jury awarded $18,946,634.65 in damages to a St. Gabriel man and his family after a catastrophic vehicle crash left the victim with permanently disabling injuries. The verdict, delivered in January 2021 after a nearly three-week trial, provides critical financial support for the victim and his family. Murphy Law Firm fought tirelessly to hold the responsible party accountable, securing justice for the victim and his loved ones.
The crash occurred in the early morning hours of MMarch27, 2018, during what should have been a routine delivery. The victim was driving eastbound on Interstate 10 near LaPlace, en route to New Orleans, when a road construction vehicle responsible for retrieving safety cones suddenly reversed into his lane without warning or proper safety measures. With no time to react, his box truck crashed into the construction vehicle, flipping and rolling off the roadway and slamming into the tree line.
The impact was devastating, leaving the plaintiff with a traumatic brain injury, multiple facial fractures, and severe spine and shoulder damage requiring multiple surgeries. He was airlifted to a hospital and placed in inducted sedation for six days before beginning a grueling, lifelong recovery. The severity of the injuries underscored the need for experienced Baton Rouge personal injury attorneys to fight for justice and Murphy Law Firm delivered. The legal battle was as intense as the crash itself. In a shocking move, the contractor sued first, attempting to shift blame onto the victim for property damage, while the defense argued he was at least equally at fault. But the truth couldn’t be ignored.
Armed with expert testimony, accident reconstruction analysis, and eyewitness accounts, Murphy Law Firm systematically dismantled the defense’s claims and ruled in favor of the victim, awarding $13,446,634.65 for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental pain and anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. The victim's wife and two young children received a combined $5.5 million for loss of consortium, recognizing the profound impact of his injuries on the family. However, the fight did not end there.
The defense then sought an appeal through the Louisiana Court of Appeal, First Circuit. The First Circuit unanimously upheld the fault determination and majority of the reviewing judges determined the jury award was appropriate.
The defense next sought supervisory review by the Louisiana Supreme Court. After the initial hearing the Justices of the Louisiana Supreme Court disagreed with the jury, District Court and Court of Appeal, and Adjusted the verdict, ultimately resulting in a reduction of the jury verdict by approximately two-thirds.
Continuing to fight for the clients, Murphy Law Firm secured a rehearing before the Louisiana Supreme Court. The case was accepted for rehearing, allowing the trial team assembled by Mr. Murphy to clarify the significance of the impact upon the plaintiff and his family.
On rehearing, the Louisiana Supreme Court re-analyzed the manner of appellate review of a jury’s exercise of its broad discretion in assessing monetary awards for injuries and predominately restoring the verdict of a jury of one’s peers. This landmark decision highlights the strength of Baton Rouge personal injury attorneys at Murphy Law Firm in fighting for justice, establishing the benchmark for the review of jury awards in Louisiana.
Peyton Murphy, founder of Murphy Law Firm, emphasized the importance of trial litigation in securing justice for injury victims:
“The courts are the only avenue of justice for injured victims when big insurance companies refuse to treat them fairly. If defendants do not want to settle for fair and reasonable amounts, we will go to trial.”
This $18.9 million jury verdict is more than just compensation—it is a clear warning that negligence and litigation strategy carry consequences. The jury’s decision ensures reckless companies are held accountable, reinforces the importance of safety and stresses the value that Louisiana Civil Code places on the concept of family. This case is a testament to the relentless advocacy of Murphy Law Firm, whose unwavering commitment to justice continues to secure life-changing results for injury victims.
For more details about this case and other legal victories of Murphy Law Firm, visit
https://www.murphylawfirm.com/.
About Murphy Law Firm
Murphy Law Firm is a premier personal injury law firm based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The firm is dedicated to helping victims of negligence secure the compensation they deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. With a track record of multi-million-dollar verdicts, the firm specializes in car accidents, truck accidents, rideshare/delivery accidents and similar injuries arising from the negligence of others. The award-winning legal team serves clients throughout Louisiana and beyond, ensuring injured individuals receive top-notch legal representation.
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Murphy Law Firm
Address: 2354 S Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
newsroom: news.38digitalmarket.com
Source: 38 Digital Market News
Release ID: 1391022
