The Biggest Personal Injury Payouts of 2025

Louisiana: $411M Verdict Against Brock Services for Refinery Scaffolding Injury

A Louisiana jury awarded $411 million to 28-year-old Jose Valdivia after a catastrophic workplace incident left him with profound brain and spinal injuries. The verdict, the largest single-plaintiff personal injury award in the state’s history, followed a week-long trial concerning a 2022 scaffolding accident at a Phillips 66 refinery in Lake Charles. A 20-pound metal bar fell from overhead and struck Valdivia, who, despite wearing a hard hat, sustained injuries that now leave him confined to a wheelchair and with severely limited speech. His legal team asserted that his employer, Brock Services LLC, knowingly exposed him to a hazardous work environment, citing a coworker described as a "walking hazard."

The case garnered attention not only for the scale of the verdict but also for the conduct of Brock Services and its insurers leading up to trial. According to lead attorney Roland Christensen, Brock’s insurers declined multiple opportunities to settle within policy limits, forcing the case to trial and significantly increasing their exposure. “We wanted to settle this case with them and would have settled it well within their insurance policy, and they forced us to try it, which was kind of crazy,” Christensen said. He emphasized that the jury’s decision highlights the critical role of civil juries in holding corporations accountable when they fail to protect workers in dangerous environments.

Texas: $56M Jury Verdict for Cyclist With Brain Injury After Hit-and-Run Crash

Represented by: Amaro Law Firm

A Harris County jury has awarded $56 million to Ezekiel Hernandez, a now 22-year-old man who suffered a permanent traumatic brain injury after being struck by a truck while riding his bicycle as a child. The incident occurred in 2016, when Hernandez was only 13 years old. According to the lawsuit, the defendant, John Loftin III, accelerated from a stop and hit Hernandez as he began to cross Harris Avenue. Loftin then fled the scene, leaving the minor critically injured. Following extensive hospitalization and inpatient rehabilitation, Hernandez was diagnosed with irreversible brain damage. As attorney James Amaro, who represented Hernandez, described: “He's a 13-year-old boy living in a 22-year-old man's body.”

Despite the jury’s substantial award following a brief two-day trial and just two and a half hours of deliberation, collecting the damages remains uncertain. Loftin is currently incarcerated, and his insurer has since filed for bankruptcy protection. Amaro acknowledged this hurdle but emphasized the firm’s commitment: “We made a commitment to our clients to see this through regardless of that issue, and that's what we did.” Amaro plans to submit a claim to the insurance company’s bankruptcy estate in hopes of recovering some of the awarded compensation.

California: $50M Verdict Against Starbucks for Burned Delivery Driver

Represented by: Trial Lawyers for Justice, Bidegaray Law Firm LLC

A California jury has awarded $50 million to delivery driver Michael Garcia, who suffered severe burns from hot water at a Starbucks drive-through. The jury found Starbucks fully liable for the 2020 incident, in which a cup caddy containing multiple drinks was improperly secured, causing hot water to spill just moments after the handoff. Garcia’s legal team argued that the burns had permanently affected his quality of life, seeking up to $125 million in damages, while Starbucks proposed a significantly lower amount. Ultimately, the jury’s decision landed between the two figures presented at trial.

Starbucks has expressed sympathy for Garcia but strongly disagrees with the verdict, calling the damages excessive and confirming plans to appeal. The trial proceeded in two phases, with the jury unanimously assigning 100% liability to Starbucks before deliberating damages. The nine-juror majority required under California law reached the $50 million verdict after half a day of deliberations. Given the company's intent to appeal, the case may remain unresolved for some time.

California: $21.3M Verdict for Brain Injury Victim in Big Rig Rear-End Crash

Represented by: Nick Rowley

A Long Beach jury awarded $21.3 million to Leila Miyamoto, a 43-year-old mother who sustained a traumatic brain injury and chronic pain after her minivan was rear-ended by a 37,000-pound big rig. The collision occurred in the California Heights neighborhood in 2016 while Miyamoto was stopped, waiting to make a left turn. Her attorneys argued the impact was so severe it shattered her rear window and caused her head to slam into the steering wheel, leaving her with no memory of the incident and requiring extensive spinal surgeries. The jury found the truck driver, Daniel Almazan, negligent, rejecting the defense's claim that Miyamoto made an abrupt stop without signaling.

The lawsuit, also filed on behalf of Miyamoto’s then-9-year-old son, who witnessed the crash, named several defendants, including Services Group of America, Inc. and Food Services of America, Inc. Attorneys emphasized the long-term impact on Miyamoto's ability to care for her family and maintain relationships. “Her injuries and limitations… have hindered her ability to care for her children,” the complaint stated. Plaintiff’s counsel, Nick Rowley, noted that a prior $6.9 million settlement offer was declined by the defense, who disputed the extent of Miyamoto’s injuries. “The jury saw through their attempts to distort the truth and delivered a powerful verdict for Leila,” Rowley said.

Louisiana: Chubb Sues Gray Insurance for $15M Over Gas Plant Explosion Costs

Represented by: Chaffe McCall LLP, Cozen O'Connor

Chubb's insurance subsidiaries, Ace American Insurance Co. and Ace Property and Casualty Insurance Co., have initiated legal action against Gray Insurance Co. They are seeking reimbursement for nearly $15 million spent on settling injury claims stemming from a fatal explosion at a Louisiana gas-processing plant in 2015. The insurers allege that Gray, which also provided coverage to a contractor involved in the incident, has failed to contribute its share despite a state appeals court ruling confirming that all three insurers named the plant’s owner and operator as an additional insured under their respective policies. Chubb asserts breach of contract and subrogation claims, arguing that Gray’s policies must share costs under standard insurance provisions.

The explosion resulted in four deaths, multiple injuries, and 15 lawsuits against contractors, including Furmanite Corp. and Danos and Curole Marine Contractors LLC. Chubb said it provided up to $26 million in coverage for Furmanite, while Gray issued up to $5 million in coverage for Danos and Curole. In their complaint, Chubb noted that the 2017 appeals court decision determined that Gray’s policy was not excess to Furmanite’s coverage, requiring both insurers to share costs. Chubb claims it has already paid $10.4 million toward settlements and $4.5 million in defense costs, while Gray has yet to contribute. Representatives for both companies have not commented on the case.

Texas: $11M Verdict Against BMH As-Built for Construction Worker’s Injuries

Represented by: Williams Hart & Boundas, Arnold & Itkin, Athea Trial Lawyers

A Texas jury has awarded an $11 million verdict against BMH As-Built USA of Texas Inc. in a personal injury lawsuit brought by construction worker Caleb Queen. The case arose from a 2018 incident in which Queen suffered severe injuries when debris was thrown from a roof at a condominium construction site managed by BMH. Queen sued for negligence, alleging that BMH failed to maintain a safe work environment, and sought at least $1 million in damages. The jury ultimately sided with Queen, holding BMH liable for his injuries.

Following the verdict, Admiral Insurance Co., which had provided BMH with a defense under a reservation of rights, moved to deny coverage for the damages. Admiral contends that its policy excludes residential construction activities, workers' compensation claims, and liabilities arising from condominium conversions. A previous lawsuit by Admiral seeking a coverage determination was dismissed, but the insurer has now renewed its legal effort in federal court. If Admiral prevails, BMH may be responsible for the full judgment, intensifying the company's financial and legal challenges.

Illinois: $10.5M Verdict Against AJD Construction for Fatal Truck Crash

Represented by: Salvi Schostok & Pritchard PC

A Cook County jury has awarded $10.5 million to Krzysztof Jarosz, the widower of a suburban Chicago kindergarten teacher who was fatally struck by a dump truck while biking to work. The lawsuit against AJD Construction Concrete Corp. and driver Nicolas Moreno alleged that the truck carried unsecured debris and was operated by an inexperienced driver with a history of reckless driving violations. Shortly before trial, AJD admitted liability, leading to a two-day damages proceeding in which the jury awarded compensation for Jarosz’s loss of society, grief, and financial support.

According to the complaint, AJD failed to investigate Moreno’s driving history or confirm that he had the correct license to operate a commercial vehicle. On the day of the crash, he was allegedly speeding when he collided with another car, dislodging unsecured materials and veering off the road, striking Sylwia Jarosz. She died hours later from her injuries. Jarosz’s attorney, Lance Northcutt, emphasized the devastating impact of her death, calling it a preventable tragedy that robbed her family and students of her presence. AJD has not yet commented on the verdict.

California: $7.25M Verdict Against Universal Studios for ‘Harry Potter’ Ride Injury

Represented by: Los Angeles City Law

A California federal jury awarded $7.25 million to Pamela Morrison, an Arizona woman who suffered a crushed spine while exiting a "Harry Potter" ride at Universal Studios Hollywood. The jury found the theme park liable for the 2022 injury, which occurred when Morrison was asked to exit from a moving conveyor belt onto a stationary floor after her safety harness failed to secure. Morrison’s attorney argued that the park failed to follow proper safety procedures, leading to a preventable accident that left her in intense pain and temporarily unable to care for herself.

Universal’s defense maintained that Morrison was at fault for not watching her step while following her grandson off the ride, characterizing the incident as "an unfortunate fall." However, a safety expert testified that stepping perpendicularly from a moving walkway onto a stationary surface poses a significant risk, particularly for older riders. Morrison’s attorney asserted that Universal prioritized keeping the ride moving over guest safety, refusing to stop the conveyor belt. After a four-hour deliberation, the jury awarded Morrison $250,000 in economic damages and $7 million in noneconomic damages.

Conclusion

These 2025 personal injury settlements and verdicts underscore the significant financial and legal consequences companies face when safety measures fail. From workplace hazards to consumer injuries, courts continue to hold corporations accountable for negligence that results in harm. The substantial awards reflect the long-term impact of these incidents on victims' lives, reinforcing the importance of corporate responsibility and risk management. As appeals and insurance disputes unfold, these cases highlight the ongoing complexities of personal injury litigation and the evolving landscape of liability in industries ranging from hospitality to construction.

For insight into last year's most significant personal injury cases, see our Top Personal Injury Payouts of 2024.