Jury Awards $15.7 Million to Man Injured by Dump Truck
By Daniel Hawn
Published on January 18, 2008
Jurors awarded plaintiff Barry Bowman, a 62-year-old security guard and former Los Angeles police officer, $11 million for his pain and emotional distress caused by the accident, which occurred in October 2004. They also awarded him $4.7 million for his medical expenses and lost income.
Bowman's attorney, Michael Alder, says that Bowman suffered brain damage as a reult of the accident and now requires round-the-clock care.
According to Bowman's lawsuit, the dump truck involved in the accident was operated by Tommie Wyatt Trucking, a company that had been hired by the city to transport asphalt.
During the trial, city attorneys disputed the city's liability in the accident by arguing that the vehicle's driver had finished working for the day and was not on a job site when the incident occurred. They also contended that the truck was traveling at 2 mph when it struck Bowman. Alder, however, claimed that it was moving at 14 mph.
The case went to trial after attorneys for both sides could not reach an agreement, Alder said, adding that city lawyers were unwilling to offer more than $50,000 to settle the case.
The city is currently deciding whether to appeal the verdict.
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