$3.3 Million Rankin County Verdict Set-off by $612,500
I previously wrote about the recent $3.3 million verdict in a Rankin County Circuit Court 18-wheeler wrongful death case where a drunk trucker ran a red light and killed someone. Here is a copy of the judgment in the case, as well as the final order dismissing the co-defendant.
The jury's verdict was for $3,333,189.00. It was a general verdict form, so there was no break-down of the verdict into separate categories. The judgment states that $612,500 was previously paid to the plaintiff on behalf of the losing defendants (Joe Ed Carter and M&A Trucking, Inc.). Therefore, the Court reduced the verdict to $2,720,689 and the judgment was for that amount. The case was filed in 2000, so the tort reform caps do not apply to the judgment.
I do not know what any potential appeal issues are, but Judge Samac Richardson is not reversed often and the plaintiff's attorney (John Toney) is very respected in the legal community. Also, Rankin County juries are as conservative as they get. I would be very surprised if this case is reversed on appeal.
Here is a link to the Mississippi Department of Corrections' profile on Mr. Carter. It states that Mr. Carter was sentenced to 20 years in prison for vehicular homicide and 15 years for aggravated assault.
I am glad to see this verdict, for the family & for the memory of the 19 year old woman that was killed in this tragic wreck. I am hoping to see more plaintiff verdicts, from these highly conservative juries of Rankin Co, in the upcoming months & years. I believe Rankin Co officials have much to answer for.