South Carolina Lawyers Weekly
In August, an Anderson Country, S.C., jury awarded plaintiff what is believed to be one of the largest jury verdicts in county history at $22.5 million for a moped wreck that took place in 2017.
According to the plaintiff’s council, Crystal H. Swinford, formerly with Poulin Willey Anastopoulo, the plaintiff was struck by the defendant from behind, causing the plaintiff to go over the top of the defendant’s vehicle. The plaintiff was then dragged behind the vehicle while the defendant was fleeing the scene of the collision.
The plaintiff suffered several severe injuries due to the accident including a broken jaw, neck, and back leading to paralysis. Aside from physical injuries, the plaintiff experienced a significant decrease in quality of life.
“He really is truly a wonderful individual, and unfortunately, he will require skilled nursing care for the rest of his life,” Swinford said. “One of the things that we asked the jury to consider is not what they were going to be giving him, but what he actually lost.”
The client’s medical bills resulting from the accident exceed $300,000. The verdict in this case is 1,125 times the pre-trial offer of $20,000.
Defense attorney J. Kirkman Moorhead with Moorhead LeFevre, PA, declined to comment.
Is this a verdict or a settlement? Jury verdict
Type of case: Motor vehicle wreck
Amount: $22,500,000
Injuries alleged: TBI, Broken Jaw, Laceration to Throat, Broken Neck and Broken Back resulting in Paraplegia.
Case name: Max A. Jefferson v. Tyler Alexander
Court: Anderson County Court of Common Pleas
Case No.: 2020CP0400989
Judge: Judge Scott Sprouse
Date of verdict: August 24, 2022
Bench or jury trial? Jury Trial
Attorney(s) for plaintiff and their firm(s): Crystal H. Swinford, formerly with Poulin Willey Anastopoulo, LLC
Attorney(s) for defendant and their firm(s): John Kirkman Moorhead,Moorhead LeFevre, PA
Were liability and/or damages contested? No.
Has the judgment been successfully collected? No.
