Maryland Wrongful Death Lawsuit Ends in $1.9 Million Award

The surviving family members of a Maryland woman slain in a truck accident garnered a $1.9 million wrongful death award, according to an article by Patch. The truck driver who caused the accident was allegedly under the influence of prescription drugs and fell asleep at the wheel.

This fatal accident dates back to June 2016. At that point, the Maryland woman was driving a passenger sedan southbound on Route 2 near Jumpers Hole Road. This 44-year-old woman came to a stop at a red light along with several other vehicles. Before the light could turn green, however, disaster struck quickly and suddenly.

The driver of a 19-ton trash truck smashed into the Maryland woman and several other passenger vehicles. Law enforcement indicated that the driver did not attempt to brake, turn, or engage in other evasive maneuvers. In total, the truck driver rear-ended six vehicles, causing property damage, physical injury, and death.

In the aftermath of this multi-vehicle incident, the authorities filed criminal charges against the truck driver for manslaughter. At the conclusion of his criminal case, the truck driver pleaded guilty in November 2017. But the truck driver was not finished with the legal fallout of this accident.

The surviving family members of the deceased woman also brought a wrongful death lawsuit in civil court. Legal counsel for these family members argued that the truck driver and his employer were both negligent and, thus, should be held accountable for this fatal accident.

According to the evidence presented, the truck driver received extended medical treatment in the months leading up to the accident. Diagnosed with severe depression, the truck driver received prescriptions for several pharmaceutical drugs, including Abilify, Atarax, and Zoloft.

All of the aforementioned pharmaceuticals feature various side effects, most notably drowsiness. Furthermore, these drugs warn against driving vehicles or operating machinery. Despite these side effects and warnings, the truck driver got into his vehicle anyway, fell asleep, and ended up causing a fatal accident.

As a result of this combination of factors, the woman’s family asserted that the truck driver was negligent and responsible for the accident. Additionally, the family argued that the company employing the driver was also grossly negligent. Given the truck driver’s medical history, they maintained the employer should have prevented the truck driver from returning to work.

At the conclusion of the civil case, the state courts agreed with the family’s legal position. Between economic damages — such as funeral expenses and medical bills — and non-economic damages — such as pain and suffering — the family received a $1.9 million award.

Let Us Help You Today

If you need legal help with wrongful death lawsuits or survival actions in Maryland, it can be highly productive to speak with an established Baltimore wrongful death lawyer. Based in Baltimore, Maryland, the lawyers at Iamele & Iamele, LLP have a diverse background in personal injury law, including wrongful death lawsuits and survival actions. If you need legal help, contact us today for a free initial consultation.

Resource:

patch.com/maryland/annearundel/family-awarded-1-9m-womans-death-trash-truck-crash

https://www.iamelelawfirmbaltimore.com/4-features-of-wrongful-death-actions-in-maryland/