Whole Foods Big Rig Case Settled

On October 16, 2005, a touring bus carrying the members of the Chippewa Falls High School marching band collided with a semi truck that had overturned on a Wisconsin highway. Five people on the bus were killed in the collision, including several of the band directors. Recently, a wrongful death case brought by the surviving family members of one of the band directors was settled by the upscale grocery store chain, Whole Foods, which owned the semi truck.

It was found that the truck driver, Michael Kozlowski, regularly committed a number of egregious safety violations, including driving on only a few hours of sleep and beginning his shift soon after spending hours consuming alcohol in local drinking establishments.

Although Kozlowski was cleared of criminal charges in the case, Whole Foods recently reached a settlement with several families of those killed in the crash. The terms of these settlements remain undisclosed.

Has someone else’s unsafe practices caused harm to you or a loved one? We can help you understand your legal options. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Wrongful Death Suits Filed in Fatal Florida Big Rig Crash

In the early autumn of 2008, a peaceful September afternoon turned tragic for a group of North Marion Middle School students in Ocala, Florida, when a big rig truck collided with their school bus. The bus had stopped to allow students to disembark when a big rig truck struck the vehicle from the rear, killing 13-year-old Margay Schee. Police reports indicated that big rig operator Reinaldo Andujar Gonzalez was momentarily distracted by his cell phone and did not notice that the school bus had slowed to a stop. Although not yet proven, there are also allegations that Gonzalez had not had the federally mandated amount of sleep before operating the vehicle. Schee’s parents have filed a wrongful death claim in the case, and other parents whose children sustained injuries in the crash have also filed suit.

If a family member or loved one has sustained injuries as a result of another’s negligence or carelessness, we’re here to help you understand your legal options. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Oregon Logging Truck Crash at Center of Lawsuit

On January 24th, 2006, Oregon resident Ronald Gill was operating a tractor along a stretch of road in rural Riddle when he was struck by a cargo truck owned by local logging company S.A. Schuyler & Sons. The force of the collision ejected Gill from the tractor, which then fell on top of him, killing him instantly.

Gill’s widow filed a wrongful death suit in the case, seeking more than $2 million in damages from the company and its driver. It is claimed that the driver was exceeding the posted speed limit of 55 mph and operating the vehicle in an unsafe manner for the existing road and weather conditions. The case is scheduled to go to trial in October 2009.

Have you or a loved one been injured in an automobile collision? We can help you figure out the best legal course of action. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or clal us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

New Mexico Big Rig Collision Yields $15 Million Settlement

Kansas residents Terry and Donna Frederick were driving across New Mexico when they collided with a commercial big rig truck. The truck was being operated by driver Robyn Getchel, who later tested positive for drugs, including methamphetamines. Getchel was backing up from a rest stop onto the highway when the collision occurred. Several passengers in another vehicle were killed, and Terry Frederick suffered a severe spinal cord injury. A judge later reduced the jury award in the case to $15.3 million, claiming that Getchel only bore 65% of the blame in the collision.

Have you or a member of your family been impacted by a big rig collision? If so, we’re here to help. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Lawsuit Filed in Florida Big Rig Collision

49-year-old Florida resident Timothy Powers was struck and killed while he was riding his motorcycle in January 2008. The driver of the big rig was making a U-turn on a state highway, and heavy morning fog made it difficult for Powers to see the truck. Powers hit the truck broadside and was thrown from his motorcycle. Powers’ widow has filed a wrongful death suit against Felix Villa, the driver of the truck, and the trucking company that employs him.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a big-rig collision? If so, we can help. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.