Injuries: Wrongful Death
Settlement: $24 Million
A 33–year–old registered nurse and mother of two was killed when a fully loaded commercial motor
vehicle lost control, crossed the center line, and struck her vehicle at highway speed. Her husband
and two young children were traveling in a separate vehicle directly behind and witnessed the
violent collision.
vehicle lost control, crossed the center line, and struck her vehicle at highway speed. Her husband
and two young children were traveling in a separate vehicle directly behind and witnessed the
violent collision.
The Allen Law Firm did not shy away from the complexities of this case as we sought justice for the
decedent’s family. Claims for corporate negligence and corporate wrongdoing, specifically for
negligent hiring and retention, were filed. The defendant driver, who had been on the job for just two
months, had a history that should have raised concerns for the employer. According to Edward Allen,
“This litigation was hard fought from the beginning. It turned on the ultimate success of our
proof of corporate negligence. This crash was caused not only by a commercial driver’s failure to
stay on the correct side of the highway, but by the commercial carrier’s decision to hire an unfit
driver and its failure to provide adequate training to its employees.” The father–and–son legal team,
Edward and Parker Allen, successfully demonstrated that the driver was unfit.
proof of corporate negligence. This crash was caused not only by a commercial driver’s failure to
stay on the correct side of the highway, but by the commercial carrier’s decision to hire an unfit
driver and its failure to provide adequate training to its employees.” The father–and–son legal team,
Edward and Parker Allen, successfully demonstrated that the driver was unfit.
On the eve of trial, the defense admitted corporate negligence, including negligent hiring and
retention. The case resolved at the courthouse on the first day of trial, shortly before jury selection
was set to begin.
“We showed up ready to pick a jury and try this case to verdict,” said Parker Allen. “That is the only
way to achieve a result like this. We spent weekends with this family, learning who their loved one
was and how deeply she impacted everyone around her. The trust we built allowed us to achieve an
incredible result for a deserving family.”
Allen & Allen remained dedicated and worked tirelessly to secure this historic wrongful death
recovery. The $24 million settlement was reached at the courthouse on the first day of trial. This
settlement is the largest reported wrongful death recovery in Virginia history, whether by settlement
or verdict. It doubles the prior record for a wrongful death settlement.
