As featured in a recent Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Verdicts & Settlements section, a Varnum litigation team consisting of partner Michael Zavier, associate Julia Moran, and paralegal Shelley Kulick secured a significant jury trial victory in a wrongful-death motor-vehicle case in Kalamazoo County.
The case involved a pedestrian who was struck and killed after the defendant driver diverted his attention from the roadway. Representing the Estate throughout the week-long jury trial, Zavier and Moran presented evidence on visibility, roadway conditions, perception-reaction time, the driver’s admitted distraction, and examined witnesses to support the Estate’s claims and damages.
Their work resulted in the jury finding the defendant predominantly liable and $4.50 million in damages, with the net judgment totaling $2.9 million after accounting for the pedestrian’s contribution to the incident. Following the trial, the judge awarded prejudgment interest, bringing the total judgment to $3.02 million.
As the defendant had rejected an earlier offer of judgment, this judgment is expected to increase to include the Estate’s costs and attorneys’ fees.
A link to the full article can be found on Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Website.
