Man Crushed By Fire Truck to Get $15M Settlement
December 21st, 2016
By Dean I. Weitzman, Esq.
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A 53-year-old California man who lost a leg and suffered other serious injuries after being struck by one of two careening fire trucks in April 2014 has been awarded a $15 million settlement from the cities which operate the fire companies that were involved in the collision.
Kenneth Thai was waiting to cross the street at Garfield and Emerson avenues in Monterey Park, Calif., on April 16, 2014, as the two fire trucks descended on the intersection with their emergency lights and sirens activated, according to a July 30 story in The Pasadena Star-News. The emergency vehicles, from the Alhambra and Monterey Park fire companies, were rushing to a nearby house fire and collided in the intersection, causing the Monterey Park truck to veer onto the sidewalk and strike Thai, causing critical injuries.
Thai was pushed by the impact of the crash through the exterior wall of a dumpling house restaurant and was pinned under the out-of-control fire truck, the story reported.
The victim lost his lower right leg above his knee in the crash and spent weeks in a hospital for treatment of a wide range of related injuries to his facial nerves, eyes, head and right shoulder; as well as fractures to his face, vertebrae, left elbow, left wrist and femur, the story reported.
Thai has undergone 15 months of additional treatment so far from physicians, surgeons, therapists, psychologists, prosthetic consultants and other medical professionals to care for his injuries, according to the report. His medical expenses have totaled more than $530,000 through July. He will have to buy a residence that includes special equipment to handle his handicaps, the story stated.
The $15 million settlement was agreed to by the city councils of both Alhambra and Monterey Park, without admitting fault, according to court documents.
These kinds of tragic legal cases occur every day when innocent victims are severely hurt or killed in vehicle crashes through no fault of their own due to the actions, inattentiveness or indifference of others. That’s why it is critical to have a legal team on your side that uncovers every fact to bolster your case and maximize your damage award.
We here at MyPhillyLawyer stand ready to assist you with your legal case if you or a loved one is ever seriously injured in a vehicle incident or accident anywhere in the United States. We represent the families of victims who die in such tragedies as well, to ensure that their families receive every penny of damages that they are eligible to receive.
Call MyPhillyLawyer at 215-227-2727 or toll-free at 1-(866) 352-4572 anytime and our experienced, compassionate, aggressive team of attorneys and support staff will be there for you and your family every step of the way as we manage your case through the legal system.
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