The Biggest Personal Injury Payouts of 2024

Missouri: $462M Verdict Against Wabash National for Fatal Underride Crash

Represented by: The Simon Law Firm, P.C.

A St. Louis City jury awarded a $462 million verdict against Wabash National Corporation after finding the trailer manufacturer liable for the deaths of two young fathers in an underride crash. The jury determined that the company’s outdated rear impact guard (RIG) design failed to prevent the victims’ vehicle from sliding underneath the trailer upon impact, leading to their deaths. The verdict included $12 million in compensatory damages and a staggering $450 million in punitive damages, highlighting the jury’s stance on the company’s negligence in prioritizing profits over safety.

During the trial, attorneys for the victims’ families presented evidence that Wabash and other trailer manufacturers actively lobbied against stronger federal safety regulations, ensuring that their RIG designs met only the minimum 1998 federal standards—standards that failed to prevent foreseeable and survivable underride crashes. The verdict not only holds Wabash accountable but also sends a strong message to the trucking industry, reinforcing the urgent need for improved safety measures to prevent future tragedies.

Florida: $310M Verdict in Icon Park Free Fall Wrongful Death Case

Represented by: Hilliard Law, Ben Crump

The wrongful death lawsuit filed by Nekia Dodd and Yarnell Sampson centers on the tragic death of 14-year-old Tyre Sampson, who was ejected from the Free Fall ride at Icon Park in Orlando, Florida. Despite weighing 380 pounds and standing 6’2”, Tyre was allowed to board the ride without proper safety warnings or restrictions. The ride’s defective harness system failed to secure him, leading to his fatal fall of over 100 feet. The plaintiffs alleged gross negligence on the part of the ride operators and manufacturers, arguing that they failed to implement basic safety measures, including properly designed restraints and adequate operator training.

On December 5, 2024, a jury found the defendants liable for the catastrophic safety failures that led to Tyre’s death. The verdict awarded $155 million each to Tyre’s parents, totaling $310 million in damages. The decision underscored the jury’s recognition of the profound emotional and financial impact of Tyre’s death on his family. Attorneys for the plaintiffs emphasized that the ruling serves as a warning to the amusement park industry, reinforcing the need for stricter safety measures to prevent future tragedies.

New York: $90M Verdict Against MTA for Subway Injury at Broadway Junction

Represented by: Sanocki, Newman & Turret, LLP

A Brooklyn jury has awarded $90 million to Lamont Powell, a 56-year-old man who was severely injured after being run over by an MTA subway train at Broadway Junction station in 2018. Powell, who had been drinking before falling onto the tracks, suffered catastrophic injuries, including the loss of a leg, a hip joint, and most of an arm. Despite his intoxicated state, Powell’s legal team successfully argued that the train operator had ample time to stop, as he fell at a distance where emergency braking could have prevented the collision. Witnesses, including a tourist from Brazil, testified that straphangers frantically tried to alert the operator, who later admitted he initially mistook Powell for a piece of trash.

Powell’s lawsuit, filed nearly a year after the accident, emphasized the MTA’s failure to follow its own safety protocols. His attorney, Ira Newman, contended that the train operator should have pulled the emergency brake immediately upon noticing people signaling on the platform. A former MTA engineer testified that a train traveling at 16 mph could stop within 110 feet, whereas Powell was hit despite the operator having approximately 360 feet to react. Powell, who previously worked in construction and odd jobs, will now require lifelong care in a supportive housing facility due to his injuries. The MTA, already financially strained, faces one of its largest-ever legal judgments, with Powell’s lifetime medical expenses estimated at $17 million.

Texas: $72M Verdict Against Walker Engineering for Fatal Scissor Lift Crash

Represented by: Aldous Walker LLP

A Texas jury awarded nearly $72 million to Laura Lopez, the widow of electrician Hernan Murillo, who died in 2019 when the scissor lift he was working on collapsed after being struck by a boom lift at a Frito-Lay warehouse. Lopez sued Walker Engineering Inc., arguing the company allowed an unqualified worker to operate the boom lift, which backed into Murillo’s extended scissor lift, causing his fatal fall. Walker Engineering denied liability, asserting that the boom lift operator was employed by Walker Industrial LLC, a separate legal entity. However, after three days of deliberations, the jury found Walker Engineering 65% liable and Walker Industrial 35% liable, making Walker Engineering responsible for the full $71.95 million under Texas law.

Lead plaintiff attorney Charla Aldous emphasized that the key issue in the case was the lack of proper training for the boom lift operator, which the jury found compelling. The defense's highest settlement offer of $1.25 million was significantly lower than the final award. Aldous noted that the verdict sends a strong message against corporate entities attempting to avoid liability through legal distinctions between sister companies. She expressed hope that the ruling would lead to improved safety standards in the skilled labor industry, stating, “Corporate shell games will not shield corporations from legal liability.”

Texas: $51M Verdict Against Apartment Complex for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Represented by: Taylor Anderson LLP, Wright Close & Barger LLP

In May 2015, a boiler repair at Red Bird Trails Apartments resulted in a catastrophic carbon monoxide leak, exposing a family to dangerously high levels of the odorless gas. The exposure left two young children with severe brain injuries, limiting their ability to speak and requiring lifelong care. Ms. McMullen sued the apartment complex and the plumbing company responsible for the repairs, alleging negligence in maintaining the boiler system. Plaintiff’s counsel argued that the defendants were aware of the corroded vent pipe but failed to take action, leading to toxic exposure that was 1,000 times higher than the safe limit.

At trial, the defense disputed the extent of the injuries and their link to carbon monoxide poisoning, arguing that the children’s speech impairments were due to “selective mutism.” They also challenged the plaintiffs’ medical evidence, noting the lack of brain imaging or a direct diagnosis from a treating physician. Despite these arguments, the jury found Red Bird Trails Apartments and its affiliates 90% responsible and the plumbing company 10% responsible, awarding a total of $51 million—including $30 million for medical expenses and $9 million in exemplary damages for gross negligence. The verdict underscores the devastating consequences of carbon monoxide exposure and the legal responsibilities of property owners in maintaining safe living conditions.

North Carolina: $38.2M Verdict Against NC DOT for Negligent Roadway Design

Represented by: Horton & Mendez

A North Carolina jury awarded $38.2 million in a landmark verdict against the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NC DOT) and a reckless driver for their roles in a devastating accident. The case, led by attorney Devlin Horton of Horton & Mendez, focused on negligent roadway design and unsafe road conditions that contributed to the crash, leaving the plaintiff with life-altering injuries. The verdict, the second-largest personal injury award in North Carolina history, underscores the state’s responsibility to maintain safe infrastructure and highlights the legal consequences of failing to do so.

Attorney Devlin Horton emphasized that the ruling reinforces the importance of holding negligent parties accountable when their actions lead to severe harm. Co-founder Nicholas Mendez credited the firm’s background in insurance defense for their ability to anticipate opposing counsel’s strategies and secure justice for their clients. Horton & Mendez, known for its client-first approach and commitment to securing substantial compensation, continues to represent victims in complex personal injury cases, including auto accidents and workplace injuries.

Conclusion

These 2024 personal injury settlements and verdicts highlight growing accountability across industries, from manufacturers to government entities. Juries are making it clear that neglecting safety won’t be tolerated. These significant financial penalties deliver justice to victims and warn businesses and agencies that disregarding safety has severe consequences. As legal battles shape industry standards, these cases reinforce litigation’s role in driving meaningful reforms.

For insight into 2025's most significant personal injury cases, see our Top Personal Injury Payouts of 2025.