Walter S. Pettit Jr.

Our client was an employee traveling on Highway 69 in Oklahoma. The first defendant made a U-turn and collided with my client. Soon after, a semi-truck struck my client’s stranded vehicle. Our client is paralyzed from the waist down. His past medical bills were $560,171 with future medical expenses of $3-5 million.

Confidential settlement involving our client being hurt at work while using work machinery.

Confidential settlement for our client who was hurt by a large piece of machinery at work.

Our client was injured when he stopped his car on Highway 60 in Monett to wait for traffic to clear in order to make a left turn. He was rear-end by a vehicle that was rear-ended by a semi truck. The tractor trailer truck was owned by a company in Tennessee. This chain reaction was a direct result of his injuries. His diagnosis were: concussion, cluster headaches, Chiari malformation, strain to cervical and lumbar spine. His impotence was determined to be from a damaged pituitary gland as a result from his closed head injury. He required testosterone injections every 3 weeks. Experts used: accident reconstructionist, neuropsychologist, economist, vocational rehabilitation.

Our firm represented an 8 year old boy who suffered a brain injury as a direct result of accident involving a semi-truck at the intersection of Highway 39 and I-44. His past medical bills were $122,754. Client did have pre-accident diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Funds from the settlement were deposited into a Missouri Special Needs Trust to provide for future treatment.

Our client’s 79 year old wife was proceeding through an intersection with a green light. A semi-truck ran the red light, striking her vehicle, killing her instantly. The defendant driver was found to be speeding and in violation of motor carrier rules. She had no medical expenses. This case was settled in mediation before filing suit. Experts used: Accident Re-constructionist, SALT Institute, economists.

Our client’s 60 year old husband was struck by a semi-truck that crossed over the line on a curve. This projected his vehicle into the path of another semi-truck causing his vehicle to be run over by the second semi-truck’s rear axle. He died at the hospital where he was air-lifted from multiple injuries to his head, spine, chest, arms and legs. Medicare was reimbursed for $8,913 for the $24,291.44 expenses incurred. A factor in settlement was the fact the deceased was the primary care taker of his disabled wife. This case was settled in mediation.

Our client slipped and fell in a handicap ramp that was covered in ice as a result of a faulty unmaintained downspout. She ruptured disk C5-6 and suffered an annular tear at L4-5 along with shoulder and foot complaints. This resulted is surgery for an anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion of her neck. Her past medical bills were $80,000. Two pre-trial mediations failed with defense offering $30,000 to settle. The jury gave 25% fault to our client. The jury also awarded $40,000 for her husband’s consortium claim. (Missouri Lawyer’s Weekly, July 23, 2009)

Client was seriously injured when the car she was riding in was rear ended while stopped in traffic. She had to have back surgery. The case settled early in the discovery process without the need of formal mediation.

Our 17 year old client was driving a company truck in Lawrence County. The accident report reflects both vehicles crossed the center line and hit head-on. He suffered multiple fractures to his jaw requiring surgery to implant 14 teeth. His symptoms of poor memory and concentration were a result of his head injury. He fractured both ankles and tore his posterior cruciate ligament in his knee. His future medical care was estimated to be $245,000 for a possible fusion of his ankles, scar revisions. The defendant driver’s insurance settled for $85,000 while the owner of the car she was driving settled for $275,000. The worker’s compensation insurance was reimbursed $16,291 for a portion of expenses they paid.