Date: 06-29-2011

Case Style: Family and Estate of Devron Lunsford v. Lauren Decker and James P. Meintel

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Court: Ohio County

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Defendant's Attorney:

Description: The Family and Estate of Devron Lunsford sued Lauren Decker and James P. Meintel on negligence wrongful death theories claiming that James P. Meintel failed to exercise due care when he let him drive his 2007 Honda 750cc motorcycle with Lunsford as his passenger. Lunsford was killed when the motorcycle hit a car just after 9 p.m. on July 28, 2008.

Defendants admitted liability.

Outcome: Plaintiffs' verdict for $13 million including $3.5 million in punitive damages against Decker and $1.5 million against Meintel, while finding the actions of both to have been "willful, wanton and malicious, reckless, and done with criminal indifference to the civil rights of others."

Nearly $5 million was assessed for the "sorrow, mental anguish and solace" of Lunsford's family. The remainder of the $13 million was assessed to cover expenses such as medical and funeral costs, as well as physical and emotional pain and suffering.

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