The trial: Stevens v. JRK Trucking
The attorney: Eric Rogers
Case summary: Ronnie Stevens suffered wrist and ankle injuries in a motorcycle crash he contended was caused when a JRK Trucking dump truck struck an orange construction barrel, sending it into Stevens' path.
Synopsis: During closings of a case with $171,000 medical expenses, Eric Rogers describes what he calls the "human damages." These, Rogers says, include the changes to Stevens' day-to-day life, including his use of medication to ease his pain and his inability to be as active as he once was. Rogers ties damages to an annuity mortality table and proposes that Stevens should be awarded $30/hour for the statistical remainder of his life.
The verdict: $8 million.
