On May 29, 2012, a 31-year-old male was killed in Dimmit County, Texas, when a loose drive shaft broke off of a Heckmann Water Resources tractor-trailer and crashed through the window of the pickup truck he was riding in. According to the San Antonio Express-News, the victim's family was was recently awarded $281 million in a wrongful death lawsuit.
The news outlet states that the plaintiffs sued Heckmann Water Resources and the driver of the tractor-trailer, Ruben Hernandez, claiming that the vehicle had not been properly maintained by both defendants, thus causing the drive shaft to become detached. The jury reportedly found that the company, but not Hernandez, was negligent.
"I'm proud to have obtained one of the largest verdicts in the history of Texas and a full measure of justice for the family," said one of the personal injury attorneys representing the plaintiffs, as noted by the news outlet. "The verdict will make the roads safer throughout South Texas and will enhance the quality of life for all families."
While nothing can ever truly compensate for the untimely loss of a loved one, there are ways to hold businesses and individuals accountable for their negligence or recklessness in certain situations. To determine if you have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Missouri, it is in your best interest to find skilled personal injury lawyers in Kansas City as soon as possible. These experienced professionals can assist you through the complex legal process and help you recover damages to which you may be entitled.