Hinds County jury awards $2.5 million in electrical contact case
A Hinds County Circuit Court jury awarded $2.5 million on Friday to David Marble, a thirty-nine year old cable repairman. Here is the Clarion-Ledger story, which is light on the details. The case was tried before Judge Tommie Green. Ashley Ogden represented the plaintiff and Hugh Gillon from Upshaw Williams represented the defendant, Deviney Construction. Plaintiff alleged that Deviney cut a live electrical wire and left without warning anyone about the hazardous condition. Plaintiff later came into contact with the wire, causing severe injuries.
It's my understanding that the plaintiff suffered a back injury and that there was expert testimony that he was permanently disabled. I'm not sure how an electrical contact causes a back injury.
I believe that this is Ogden's fourth seven figure verdict in Hinds County this year. There was also an announcement in the paper on Sunday that former Chief Justice Jim Smith is now of counsel with Ogden's firm, which is very ironic. I'll post more on this verdict if I obtain additional information about the case.
What's the status of the four with respect to payment v. appeal? Were they all before the same judge(s)?