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Woman rear-ended on I-81 – $1 million settlement
On April 7, 2017, Autumn Sambrano was a passenger in a 1990 Ford Econoline van traveling north on Interstate 81 in Botetourt County. The van had just exited a construction zone and was gaining speed when it was rear-ended by a 2015 Freightliner tractor-trailer. The plaintiff was transported by air to Roanoke Memorial Hospital where […]
Man unable to return to work after accident – $900,000 settlement
Plaintiff, who was a tractor-trailer driver, was rear-ended by another tractor-trailer while exiting the interstate. He suffered lower back injuries and aggravations of pre-existing injuries. He could not return to work and required treatment, including surgery. [19-T-135] Type of action: Personal Injury Injuries alleged: Lower back Court: Botetourt County Circuit Verdict or settlement: Settlement[...]
GAL attacked widow in wrongful death case – $90,612 Verdict
The guardian ad litem alleged that the widow was unfaithful to her husband during the time leading up to his death and had been arrested for possession of drugs. The GAL argued she deserved nothing for sorrow, mental anguish and solace. [19-T-003] Type of action: Motion for Distribution of Wrongful Death Settlement Proceeds Injuries alleged: […]
Resolution of umbrella coverage allows settlement to paraplegic – $2.8 Million Settlement
In June 2015, Tanya Dombrosky, 16, crashed her Hyundai Veloster in Botetourt County, hitting a tree and rolling the car. Liability was not seriously contested. Her unrestrained passenger, Matthew Green, 17, was ejected from the vehicle and suffered a fractured left maxillary sinus, right lung aspiration, and a wedge compression fracture of T12 with severe […]
Ruling clears judge of judicial misconduct
A ruling by a circuit judge may absolve a general district judge of claims that he misused his judicial status in a property dispute with a neighbor. The decision from retired Circuit Judge William N. Alexander II appears to provide cover for Botetourt County General District Judge William H. Cleaveland, who sought a quiet settlement […]
Couple wins eminent domain case against VDOT – $3,133,130 verdict
A Botetourt County jury entered a verdict ordering the Virginia Department of Transportation to pay $3.13 million to a couple whose land was condemned for highway purposes. VDOT took seven acres of Bland and Betty Painter’s 29-acre property at Exit 150 off Interstate 81, eliminating nearly 90 percent of the Painters’ frontage on Va. Route […]
Man suffered permanent back pain after rear-ender with tractor-trailer – $350,000 Verdict
On Nov. 12, 2012, the 37-year-old plaintiff was driving his 2009 Ford Taurus north on 1-81 in Botetourt County when he was struck in the rear by a tractor-trailer driven an employee of Navajo Express. The defendants admitted that they were at fault for the wreck prior to trial. The plaintiff’s vehicle sustained moderate property […]
Mother of two girls killed in wreck on Christmas Eve – $1,500,000 Settlement
In this wrongful death case, a 34-year-old mother of two young girls, ages 7 and 10, died on Christmas Eve in 2012 when her car was crushed into a jersey wall by a tractor-trailer that was loaded with logs for delivery. Although the defendants allegedly inspected the tractor-trailer prior to driving that day, 40 percent […]
Man, run off road, suffered significant orthopedic injuries – $2,500,000 Verdict
Plaintiff’s car was sideswiped twice by a tractor-trailer rig on I-81 North in Botetourt County. The impact caused the car to run off the road and run into the median strip, injuring plaintiff. [15-T-088] Type of action: Personal injury – auto accident Injuries alleged: Neck injury, headaches, right knee injury requiring surgery, exacerbation of […]
Driver injured in head-on collision settles for policy limits – $1,000,000 Settlement
The plaintiff was hit head-on on Route 11 in Botetourt County when the defendant, driving a car, crossed into the plaintiff’s lane of travel. The plaintiff was driving his employer’s truck. The plaintiff underwent a hemilaminectomy and a spinal fusion. The plaintiff was age 61 at the time of the crash and was employed as […]
Parties dispute extent of hip injury from crash – $450,000 Settlement
Plaintiff was a 17-year-old backseat passenger in a vehicle driven by the defendant, his high school friend. Defendant made a left turn in front of oncoming traffic and was T-boned. Plaintiff had to be cut out of the vehicle. Defendant and his front seat passenger, as well as the driver of the other vehicle, were […]
Verdicts & Settlements
- Driver fell asleep, causing significant auto accident — $1M settlement
- Defense verdict returned for company in rear-end crash — Defense verdict
- Cauda equina syndrome developed after procedure — $625,000 settlement
- Passenger died months after sustaining multiple injuries — $725,000 settlement
- Plaintiff injured in crash with oncoming vehicle — $235,000 settlement
- Driver killed in rear-end collision with tractor-trailer — $1.5M settlement
- Man died from pancreatic cancer after delayed response — $1.8M settlement
- Worker fell off roof, rendering him a paraplegic — $1.25M settlement
- Driver sustained permanent hearing loss after traffic collision — $240,000 settlement
- Plaintiff suffered concussion in rear-end collision — $81,000 verdict
- Builder misrepresented home status to buyers — $675,000 verdict
- Low potassium led to cardiac arrest, death of patient — $1M settlement
Opinion Digests
- Company owner dodges breach of contract suit
- Employee’s own allegations doom minimum wage claim
- Federal government defeats former employee’s claims
- Principal wasn’t entitled to exclusively remote work
- USPTO properly redacted info in responsive documents
- Untimely lawsuit allowed to proceed
- Engineering consultant dismissed from suit
- Rule 60 motion was filed too late
- Nonprofit directors immune from ex-employees’ claims
- City, employees immune from whistleblower claims
- Experts excluded in condemnation damages suit
- Judgment entered against company for horse’s death
