SINGLE MOM WINS $31.8M VERDICT AFTER CRASH WITH SRM CONCRETE TRUCK
A single mother in Nashville just won a nearly $32 million verdict against a concrete company in Smyrna, according to the Morgan & Morgan law firm.
The firm said a Davidson County jury awarded 40-year-old Jennifer Gooch a $31,894,263 verdict Wednesday against a concrete company after one of its drivers crashed into her vehicle in 2020.
The verdict includes $30 million from Smyrna Ready Mix Concrete, LLC in punitive damages.
“Through her Morgan & Morgan attorneys Kelli Lester, Burke Keaty and Susan Neal Wiley, Ms. Gooch had declined the defense’s highest settlement offer of $70,000 and was ultimately awarded an eight-figure verdict,” the firm said.
In September 2020, Gooch was driving on Eatons Cree Road when the driver allegedly ran a stop sign and hit the left side of her vehicle. Her vehicle was totaled, and Gooch suffered severe back and ankle injuries.
“In the first phase of the trial, the jury awarded Ms. Gooch $1,894,263.15 for her medical expenses, permanent injury, physical pain, mental suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. After a second phase in which the parties debated punitive damages, the jury deliberated for just 40 minutes before sanctioning Smyrna Ready Mix Concrete with the $30 million penalty,” the firm said.