Michael LaFleur was awarded $1.5 million by a jury after being struck by a Conglobal tractor-trailer truck in an accident.
According to LaFleur, he suffered a torn meniscus when he was struck by a Conglobal tractor-trailer while working at J.J. Flanagan Shipping’s chassis depot. After the accident he underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair the torn meniscus and needed physical therapy. Mr. LaFleur continues to experience severe pain and restricted mobility as a result of his injuries.
At trial, attorneys for Conglobal argued that Mr. LaFleur’s injury was not serious, and that he should have physically recovered in a matter of weeks. Initially, Conglobal offered only $5,000 to settle the case. However, Jurors awarded a total of $1,557,500 after finding that Conglobal’s negligence was the cause of Mr. LaFleur’s injuries.
Under the legal doctrine referred to as “respondeat superior,” an employer is legally responsible for the actions of its employees, as long as the employee is acting within the course and scope of employment. In other words, the employer will generally be liable if the employee was doing his or her job, carrying out company business, or otherwise acting on the employer’s behalf when the incident took place.
This rule is meant to hold employers responsible for the costs of doing business, including the costs of employee carelessness and misconduct.
If you have suffered a personal injury due to the negligence of another person, please call California Personal Injury Attorney, Todd M. Friedman at 877-449-8898 for a free consultation.
