Durham man wins personal injury suit against city

A Durham man who suffered severe brain injuries after being hit by a city-owned truck won a $2 million settlement from the city and its insurer, according to an article in NC Lawyers Weekly.

Reyes A. Gonzalez was within a crosswalk and had the pedestrian signal when he was struck by a Water Management Department truck on West Cornwallis Road in December 2011. In addition to his extensive brain injuries, he was also treated for a fractured leg and internal injuries.

Gonzalez was not covered by insurance.

In order to win their claim, Gonzalez’s attorneys had to prove that the city was not protected by governmental immunity because water management can be handled by private contractors. The courts agreed.

Read more here.