Trial is the monthly journal of the American Association for Justice (“AAJ”), formerly the American Trial Lawyers Association (“ATLA”). The “Verdict and SETTLEMENTS” section of its issue for March, 2016, reports three noteworthy cases involving vehicle accidents.
In “Religious Organization Vicariously Liable for Missionary’s Injuries in Car Crash,” a Montana court ruled a mission board was answerable for its missionary falling asleep at the wheel while en route home from a 10-week missionary program, and settled with the quadriplegic victim for $26,000,000.00. Id. at 8. In “Failure to Pay for Necessary Home Modifications,” the Michigan cab crash victim was settled for $1,200,000.00 his personal injury claim against the offending driver for negligence and against the driver’s no-fault insurer for breach of contract (for failing to assess his home properly and to provide the required substantial funding for multi-needed modifications). Id. at 8,10. In “Dangerous Condition of Pedestrian Crossing Leads to Man’s Injuries,” the California train crash victim settled for $4,500,000.00. Id. at 10.
Finally, in a feature article entitled “Inside the American Museum of Tort Law,” March 2016 Trial marquees the recent opening of that Connecticut facility, a 17-year production spearheaded by consumer rights advocate, Ralph Nader, world-renown for championing legal reform of motor vehicle safety standards. Id. at 50-51. “Nader’s interactive museum highlights landmark cases emphasizing the importance of consumer rights and the trial lawyers who fought for them.” Id. at 9. “Displays aim to educate visitors not only about the civil justice system, but also about the various walls corporations have curtailed consumer rights.” Id. at 51.
