$7.75 Million Settlement For A Widow And Her Unborn Son After Her Husband Was Crushed In A Tractor-Trailer Accident

Details: Juan Oro went to work the morning of April 14, 2011 at an industrial yard. While working at the industrial yard and preparing a container to be hauled off the yard by a tractor, the driver began to back up. The tractor had no back up alarm. Juan had his back to the trailer. He was pinned between the tractor and trailer and killed instantly.

Plaintiff’s case: David Sampedro argued that the driver of the tractor failed to properly operate the tractor, failed to maintain a proper look out, and failed to comply with trucking industry standards. In addition, Sampedro argued that the driver’s employer failed to properly train and supervise the operator and failed to comply with the Federal Motor Safety Carrier Act. The complaint included a single count against the motor carrier. Suit was not filed directly against the driver.

Defense’s case: The defense argued that the operator of the tractor was ordered to back up by another signal man. In addition, the defense argued that Oro’s employer was responsible for failing to properly train Oro and provide him with proper visible work attire. The defense also argued that the operator of the industrial yard contributed to the accident for failing to properly supervise the ingress and egress of traffic on the yard.

Outcome: The case was mediated for 8 1/2 hours before an agreement was reached. The motor carrier’s insurer agreed to pay almost $8 million dollars pursuant to a confidentiality agreement.

Comment: “You could never equate any type of monetary settlement to the vacuum created by the sudden and unexpected death of a loved one,” Sampedro said. “That is especially true when the loved one left behind include a young widow and an unborn son who will never get to know his father.”