ORANGE - An Orange County jury awarded a Bridge City woman and her daughter $5.2 million following a week-long trial, a press release states.
The plaintiffs were represented by The Ferguson Law Firm’s managing partner Paul ‘Chip’ Ferguson and attorney Jai Cosey.
The case arose from a June 2021 motor vehicle crash when a BDG Trees LLC company truck turned into the family Tahoe being driven by Amber Weidner, 48, of Bridge City, Texas. Weidner and her 15-year-old daughter were both injured, the press release states.
Weidner, a dentist, suffered a broken right hand and had trouble returning to her dental practice. The daughter sustained less severe injuries and sought chiropractic care. Weidner’s medical expenses were approximately $12,000 while the daughter’s totaled $3,500.
“We are extremely pleased with this jury’s verdict,” Ferguson said. “It saw the injury and looked behind it to provide full compensation.”
Ferguson also noted that this was Cosey’s first jury trial.
Cosey said, “It was a wonderful experience and, for me, uplifting to see such a positive result for our clients.”
Ferguson also provided kudos for his trial team.
“Ashlie Allen, Melissa Wesolowski, and Yulisa Ceja were wonderful in their respective roles,” Ferguson said. “Of course, Ashlie was there with us every day and making sure the trains all ran on time. It was a true team effort.”
During the case, Ferguson uncovered evidence that the company driver had tested positive for cocaine following the crash and, additionally, had been allowed to drive the company truck with a history of two prior DWI convictions.
“We called upon the jury to speak to the need for safety in on our public roads and in our communities,” Ferguson said. “This crash occurred two blocks from a church and one-half mile from an elementary school. None of this conduct should be tolerated.”
A portion of the jury’s award included punitive damages against both the driver and the company.
This is The Ferguson Law Firm’s second multi-million-dollar verdict in Orange County over a span of less than one month. Firm partners Tim Ferguson and Mark Sparks obtained a $2.6 million verdict earlier this month in an 18-wheeler crash.
“Poor driving by commercial drivers is something that we continue to stand against,” Ferguson said. “It endangers all of us – our families, our friends, our loved ones. Once again, I am proud of our firm for standing up for safety.”
The Ferguson Law Firm, LLP’s principal office remains at 3155 Executive Boulevard in Beaumont, Texas. The 50,000 square foot office houses the firm’s fourteen lawyers and forty support staff. From there, the law firm continues its mission to obtain the best results for every client every time.