A jury in Hunterdon County has awarded a 43-year-old Phillipsburg, NJ truck driver $5.961 million for injuries he sustained in a crash on July 4, 2006. Kenneth Matlock had been driving on Route 29 with his wife, daughter and two teen neighbors when a limb from an oak tree fell onto their GMC SUV. Both Matlock and his wife broke their necks, and Matlock lost the use of his right hand. His daughter and two other teenagers suffered only minor injuries.
Following the accident, Matlock and his wife sued Delaware township, Hunterdon County, and the New Jersey Department of Transportation, and adjoining property owners. The suits against all other defendants except for the state were dismissed. According to a report by the Department of Transportation, the oak tree limb that fell had hollowed out and was rotting. Additionally, it came to light that there had been 55 reports of tree-related incidents on Route 29 in the two years before the accident, include several very similar incidents close to the location of Matlock's accident.
The jury found the state Department of Transportation negligent for not conducting a competent inspection and maintenance program for trees along the route. Such a problem would have allowed for dangerous limbs to be removed prior to falling, which could have prevented the Matlock's 2006 accident. After interest, the total amount awarded to the Matlocks' exceeds $6 million.
California personal injury lawyers at Estey & Bomberger represent victims of serious injuries in accidents throughout the state of California. If you or a family member have been injured in an accident, and would like a consultation of your legal rights, contact a California injury attorney at Estey & Bomberger today. All claims are handled on a contingency fee basis. There are no fees to begin your case and no fees unless we win your case.
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