$10,000,000 TBI Verdict in Oklahoma.
May 6, 2024 started the trial of a lifetime. 54 days in Oklahoma. 33 trial days. 59 witnesses. 3 defendant corporations. 18 jurors. Dozens of paid experts. Thousands of pages of exhibits. 1 CrossFit gym, 3 rental cars, 3 VRBO homes, 5 flight changes, multiple tornado warnings, and loss of power at the courthouse. And I never came home. I worked on this case for years. And for 2 months straight day and night.
And the result was epic.
My client sustained a traumatic brain injury from a massive explosion at a Georgia Pacific paper mill in Muskogee, OK. She worked at this factory for 21 years. A poorly maintained forklift exploded when the engine caught fire and enveloped the propane tank that fueled it.
BOOM. BLEVE. Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion. And the result was several workers injured, including my client, and a factory building burned to the ground.
After 2 days and 9 hours of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict for my client in the amount of $10,000,000. It is said to be the largest TBI verdict in OK history. The jury returned other verdicts for GP and another injured party in the amount of $80,000,000, for a total of $90,000,000 total verdicts. With interest and attorneys fees for GP, it could amount to over $100,000,000 verdict.
Epic
We kept the TBI trial simple. We called only 11 witnesses over 2 1/2 days. The last witness was our client's therapist. She was late. I was nervous. I called her and she assured me she was on her way. She finally arrived as I was standing on the courthouse steps begging her to hurry. The jury was literally in the jury box. She was disheveled and a mess. I thought to myself, "oh boy....this is my last witness. What in the world am I getting myself into.....?"
She was stellar. And spiritedly explained to the jury that while she was on the phone with me (pointing at me) that she left her keys in the house and locked herself out of her home. She had to climb through a 2nd story window to get her car keys....I cannot make this stuff up and the jury ate up every word. They loved her. And my client.
My partner and mentor, Stephen Smith is thought to be the godfather of TBI litigation. He has taught me most everything I know about TBI and how to try these types of cases. Years of observing him in the courtroom gave me confidence to walk into an unknown, foreign state and fight hard.
And Tulsa co-counsel Tony Laizure was the glue that kept it all together. He kept the caged tiger (me) at bay until closing arguments, which we switched up the day before closing. And his legal acumen at the close of evidence will likely result in a full collecting of the judgement at the end of the day. It was an honor to be in battle with such a great lawyer.
It was hard being away for 2 months. I missed my family and routine. But if I am honest...I loved every minute of it. And I am so grateful to be able to fight for clients like this one. Onward.
