A Corpus Christi jury awarded $24 million to a woman who was hit by a Coca-Cola truck driver who was chatting on her cellphone.
The jury decided to give 37-year-old Vanice Chatman-Wilson $10 million in punitive damages and $14 million in actual damage.
Chatman-Wilson’s attorneys argued their client suffered neck and back pain and had to undergo lumbar surgery after the 2010 accident, when the truck hit the Ford Fusion she was driving.
Coca-Cola said in a statement that it plans to appeal the jury’s decision, the Corpus Christi Caller-Times reported. The beverage company has a policy requiring drivers to use a hands-free device when using a cellphone while driving. The driver maintains she was using a headset, in accordance with company policy.
But Bob Hilliard, one of Chatman-Wilson’s attorneys, said the policy is not enforced.
“Not only does Coke need to change it, but when other companies hear the verdict, they will take a look at their policies,” Hilliard said.
Coca-Cola, however, said in a statement the damages awarded to Chatman-Wilson had no connection to her injuries.
Araceli Vanessa Cabral, the 30-year-old truck driver, testified she was not aware of the risks involved in using a cellphone while driving, Chatman-Wilson’s attorney Thomas J. Henry said. Cabral testified that had she known, she would not have used her phone.
The jury is trying to tell Coca-Cola Enterprises to change its policy, Henry said.
“We really need better rules, regulations and laws, and corporations need to have a no-cellphone policy while operating a vehicle,” he said.
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The plantiff did indeed suffer serious injuries. That said, $24 million is completely out of line. No mention of paralysis, just back and neck pain and lumbar surgery. Coke should appeal, this is not a justifiable award based on what is offered in this article. Maybe there is far more to the story than what is here?