$52.9 Million Jury Verdict in Tractor-Trailer Crash That Caused Brain Injuries

Joshua Hernandez, 17 and a student, was a passenger in his friend’s car when a tractor-trailer driven by Nathan Harris for Phenix Transportation West Inc. crashed into the Hernandez vehicle in an intersection. Hernandez suffered brain injuries in the crash and now requires full-time care. His medical expenses were approximately $780,000.

Hernandez sued Phenix Transportation West, Inc. Phenix Transportation Inc., and Harris, alleging that Harris chose not to yield or obey a red light. Hernandez offered to settle for insurance policy limits, but the defendants declined. After presenting the case to the jury, they signed a verdict for $52.9 million.

The attorneys successfully handling this tragic case for Hernandez were William D. Shapiro and Brian D. Shapiro.

At trial, Hernandez’s attorneys presented experts in neurology, life-care planning and economics.

The defendants presented experts in psychiatry, lifecare planning, economics and orthopedics.

Hernandez v. Harris, No. BC667551 (Cal. Super. Ct. Los Angeles County).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling tractor-trailer crash lawsuits, truck accident cases, traumatic brain injury lawsuits, and wrongful death cases for individuals, families and loved ones who have been injured, harmed or killed by the carelessness or negligence of another for more than 45 years in and around Chicago, Cook County, and its surrounding areas, including Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Villa Park, Wheaton, Skokie, Glencoe, Deerfield, Vernon Hills, Arlington Heights, Prospect Heights, Chicago (Logan Square, Humboldt Park, West Town, Garfield Park, Belmont Cragin, Wrigleyville, Chinatown, Hyde Park, Bronzeville), Stickney, Westchester, LaGrange, Bedford Park and Bensenville, Illinois.

Robert D. Kreisman has been an active member of the Illinois and Missouri bars since 1976.