TACOMA, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#California–A Pierce County jury awarded more than $12.7 million to an Army Ranger veteran and his son who suffered severe injuries when a TruGreen landscaping truck made an unsafe left turn resulting in the two vehicles colliding.
Defendant TruGreen admitted liability before trial, leaving the jury to determine damages for 42-year-old father of two Bradley Shepherd and his 12-year-old son. The plaintiffs were represented at trial by Spencer Lucas and Bobby Reagan of Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP, with co-counsel Mark Sweet of Sweet Lawyers.
“We are grateful to the jury for their service and for delivering a just verdict that will enable our clients to move forward with their lives,” said Spencer Lucas, partner at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP. “This verdict provides the resources they need to rebuild their lives and reflects the seriousness of the harm they endured.”
On the evening of April 20, 2023, Bradley Shepherd was driving his son when their vehicle collided with a TruGreen truck at the intersection of 27th Street West and Grandview Drive West in Tacoma, Washington. The driver of the truck, 19-year-old Elijiah Immer, attempted a left turn without yielding or clearing the intersection, driving the TruGreen truck directly into the Shepherds’ path of travel.
Bradley suffered multiple injuries, including a spinal cord injury and fractured vertebra that required major spinal surgery (C4–T1 laminectomy and fusion). His earning capacity as a private security specialist has been affected as a result of his injuries. His son, a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the collision, sustained a fractured femur requiring emergency surgery, months of rehabilitation, and a secondary surgery.
At trial, the Plaintiffs presented evidence that both Mr. Shepherd and his son will continue to endure the effects of their injuries, including chronic pain, physical limitations, and lasting emotional effects. In contrast, the defense argued that the Shepherds had largely recovered from the collision and that any future damages should be minimal.
After only hours of deliberation, the jury awarded the Plaintiffs a total of $12,741,034 in damages, including $12,200,000 to Bradley Shepherd and $541,034 to his son. Mr. Shepherd’s award included $2,000,000 for future medical expenses, $2,700,000 in lost earning capacity, and $7,500,000 in noneconomic damages.
TruGreen Limited Partnership was represented in the matter and at trial by David Richards and David Creagh of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP as well as by Galen L. Ryan of Gardner Trabolsi & Associates PLLC.
Shepherd v. TruGreen Limited Partnership
Superior Court of the State of Washington, Pierce County
Case No. 24-2-05067-7
Hon. Ingrid McLeod
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