THE NATIONAL LAW JOURNAL
On Oct. 15, a Bay Minette, Ala. jury awarded $6.25 million to four people injured in a head-on collision on I-65 in Baldwin County, Ala.
Defendant Stephen Martin was driving northbound when he attempted to pass a tractor-trailer owned by Hornady Truck Lines Inc. According to the plaintiffs, the truck drifted out, colliding with the Martin car and forcing it to cross the median and hit head-on a car driven by plaintiff Don Meadows.
Meadows, 48, sustained several broken bones, including a fractured sternum, which triggered severe respiratory problems. His wife, Sandy, also 48, sustained a ruptured disk, as well as pelvic and rib fractures. Their son Chantz, 24, fractured both feet, both ankles and one leg. Another passenger in the Martin car, Mildred Dorman, sustained a fractured hip.
The plaintiffs sued the Alabama Education Association, Martin's employer and the owner of the car he was driving, charging that the union was negligent in allowing Martin to drive despite a history of driving offenses. The plaintiffs also sued Hornady Truck Lines.
The jury awarded $2 million to Don Meadows, $1.5 million to his son Chantz, $1 million to his wife, Sandy and $1.75 million to Dorman. Meadows v. Alabama Education Association, No. CV2000000638 (Baldwin Co., Ala., Cir. Ct.).
PLAINTIFFS‚ ATTORNEYS: Gregory B. Breedlove, Cunningham, Bounds, Yance, Crowder & Brown, Mobile, Ala; Michael S. McGlothren and Andrew T. Citrin, Citrin & McGlothren, Daphne, Ala.
DEFENSE ATTORNEYS: Edward Bowron, Pierce, Ledyard, Latta, Wasden & Bowron, Mobile; E. L. McCafferty and Terry Moore, Vickers, Riis, Murray & Curran, Mobile.
Lawyers Involved: