Case Spotlight: $5.4 Million Settlement in a Wrongful Death Case
Losing a loved one in a sudden, preventable crash is every family’s worst nightmare. In this Case Spotlight, Blankingship & Keith attorney Peter S. Everett shares how our team helped a grieving family secure a $5.4 million settlement after the high-speed death of a husband, father, and grandfather. The case shows how we work with experts, highlight both financial and emotional losses, and pursue accountability that not only brings justice but also honors a life well lived.
What made this case so significant?
This was a heartbreaking case where a husband, father, and grandfather was taken suddenly in a preventable crash. The driver was speeding at more than 100 miles per hour. The loss devastated the family.
How do you show both financial and emotional losses in a case like this?
We work with experts who help explain the full picture. Economists can measure things like lost wages and services, but our grief therapist spoke powerfully to the incalculable emotional losses each family member suffered. . To ensure that all concerned understood the family’s losses , we worked with a documentary company to produce a film honoring Jim.
Why was the Prolonged Grief Disorder diagnosis important?
Grief emerges in very different ways for every family who loses a loved one, but in this case the impact was especially profound because of the sudden, violent and preventable passing of a beloved husband and dad. The diagnosis of Prolonged Grief Disorder helped explain that this wasn’t just “ordinary grief”—it was something that changed the family’s daily lives in lasting ways.
Why did the family decide to settle instead of going to trial?
Settling meant the family could avoid a long, difficult court process while still receiving justice. With the guidance of a trusted mediator, the case was resolved in a way that provided both accountability and financial security for the family.
What does creating a scholarship in his memory mean?
For Jim’s family, giving back was a way to honor their loved one’s passion for soccer and his generosity to others. The scholarship keeps his legacy alive by supporting young athletes, turning a tragedy into something that will help others for years to come.
What should companies learn from this tragedy?
This case is a reminder that corporations have a responsibility to put safety first. The crash happened after an employee flew cross-country and then drove late at night, pushing himself to meet a deadline. When companies encourage or allow that kind of situation, lives can be put at risk.
The lesson is simple: businesses need to make sure their policies don’t put employees — or the public — in danger. Families should never have to pay the price for poor corporate decisions.