Jim Shaw Secures Defense Verdict in Mississippi

Huie, Fernambucq & Stewart Senior Partner Jim Shaw secured a defense verdict for an Alabama-based corporation in a negligence trial lasting four days in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi.

Plaintiff’s claims first arose in December 2013 following a motor vehicle accident involving the plaintiff and a commercial truck driver returning to Alabama from Mississippi. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation and interpretation of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices were central parts of the case.

The plaintiff, represented by extremely well-prepared counsel, alleged that the accident occurred because the truck driver was driving negligently by speeding and sought compensatory damages. During the investigation period, Shaw conducted a thorough review of the accident and continued his defense of the company through trial. Shaw, together with his engineer expert witness, was able to prove that the plaintiff’s negligence was the sole cause of the accident.

After deliberating for three hours, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the defendant. The defense trial team was able to successfully overcome the adversity of having the judge direct a verdict against their client and still prevail.