$1.2 Million Bicycle Accident Verdict; Largest reported in Pope County

June 30, 2014 – Patrick A. Salvi II and SSP Attorney of the law firm Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., of Chicago, IL and Mark D. Prince of the Prince Law Firm of Marion obtained a $1.2 million verdict on behalf of the family of 13-year-old Brett McDaniel, who was hit and killed by an ambulance while riding his bicycle. The verdict of $2 million was reduced by a 40% contributory negligence. The trial began on June 17, 2014 at the Pope County Courthouse in Golconda, IL and the verdict was approved by the Honorable Judge Joseph M. Leberman on June 27. The verdict is believed to be a Pope County record for an injury or death case.

On October 8, 2007, Brett McDaniel was riding his bicycle with a friend on Rosalie Street in Golconda, a block from his home, when he was hit and ran over by a Mercy Regional Emergency Medical Service ambulance traveling south on Adams Street in Golconda, IL. The plaintiff alleged the ambulance was going over the speed limit and failed to exercise care to avoid colliding with a person riding a bicycle.

The ambulance was returning to Kentucky after transporting a patient to Hardin County Hospital when the accident occurred. It did not have its lights or sirens on and was speeding. Brett was transported to the hospital where he died as a result of his injuries from the collision.

“The jury’s verdict demonstrates the substantial loss that Brett’s mother, father, and two brothers went through,” said Patrick Salvi II. “No amount of money will bring Brett back. But the verdict demonstrates just how substantial the family’s loss was, and it sets the record straight on what happened that day. When children are around, drivers need to slow down and be careful.”

[CALVIN MCDANIEL, as Administrator of the Estate of BRETT MCDANIEL, Deceased, Plaintiff, v. MERCY REGIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEM, L.L.C., a Kentucky Limited Liability Company; and JAMES RATTA, Individually, Defendants. Case No. 08 L3]