SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Feb. 10, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- High profile plaintiff attorney Ven Johnson, of Johnson Law, PLC, Southfield MI, announced that he and California co-counsel Hunter Pyle obtained a $4.68 million jury verdict on behalf of 53-year-old Mr. Hector Zuniga, a trucking negligence victim, in Alameda Circuit Court, in Oakland, CA.
Mr. Zuniga was severely injured on November 17, 2008 when truck driver Carroll Fulmer of Logistics Corporation from Groveland, Florida quickly changed lanes and rear-ended Zuniga's 1990 Honda automobile. An accident reconstruction expert testified at trial that the truck was speeding, negligently caused the crash, and crushed Zuniga's car by lifting it off the ground and pushing it down the expressway. Mr. Zuniga sought immediate medical attention for his injuries which ultimately led to spinal surgery requiring the insertion of three artificial implants into his neck.
Mr. Zuniga, a 33-year auto body paint expert, was incapable of returning to work at his $50,000 per year job. The jury found that the trucking company was responsible for all of Mr. Zuniga's injuries and awarded him nearly $1.5 million for lost wages and medical expenses. The Alameda County jury also awarded Mr. Zuniga over $1.5 million for conscious pain and suffering which, according to the treating physicians who testified at trial, was "constant throughout each and every day" and would remain that way for the rest of his life.
Johnson said:
Co-Counsel Hunter Pyle (Oakland CA) and I were highly gratified by this substantial jury verdict which sent a message to the trucking industry and Zurich Insurance Company that truckers who speed and drive carelessly on our expressways WILL be held fully responsible for all of the injuries they cause to innocent traffic victims like Hector Zuniga. In this case, despite overwhelming evidence and testimony by Mr. Zuniga's treating physicians, Zurich hired an "insurance doctor" who tried to convince the jury that this horrific accident had nothing to do with Mr. Zuniga's surgery and permanent disability.
Mr. Pyle echoed Johnson's comments: "The jury system worked again when the jury told Zurich that you can't get away with voodoo medicine and buy doctors in an attempt to avoid being held responsible for the accidents that truckers negligently cause."
Johnson Law, PLC is a proven Michigan based personal injury law firm that champions the cause of clients who have been seriously injured, seeking justice for all of its clients. Attorney Ven Johnson has fought to win in excess of $100 million dollars in jury verdicts for his clients over the past 16 years and has settled cases totaling well over $200 million dollars.Michigan based personal injury law firm that champions the cause of clients who have been seriously injured, seeking justice for all of its clients. Attorney Ven Johnson has fought to win in excess of $100 million dollars in jury verdicts for his clients over the past 16 years and has settled cases totaling well over $200 million dollars.