Feds ordered to pay trucker $900k after fall at USPS facility
The United States government has been ordered to pay nearly $900,000 to a disabled truck driver who suffered brain and spinal injuries after a fall at an Indiana post office.
Indiana Southern District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt entered judgment totaling $899,833.19 in damages for trucker Raymond Lilly, who fell off a loading dock while delivering Amazon packages to the Lawrenceburg Post Office.
Lilly, a straight truck driver with an Amazon delivery contractor, Joe Poff, Inc had a regular delivery route delivering Amazon packages to five United States Postal Service facilities in Indiana and Ohio. On the morning of December 24th, 2013 Lilly was completing a delivery to a USPS facility in Lawrenceburg, IN when the USPS worker who was assisting the trucker released the spring-loaded dock plate causing Lilly to fall 4-5 feet to the ground. The postal worker assisted Lilly from the ground and offered medical assistance which Lilly refused.
After suffering through pain over the Christmas holiday, Lilly finally went to the hospital only to learn that he suffered two spinal fractures, a mild traumatic brain injury, and post-concussive syndrome as a result of the fall. According to the ruling, Lilly was hospitalized for four days, and was unable to return to work do to the lasting injuries from the fall.
The Government’s witness, Dr. Ryan Gleason testified Lilly’s injuries from the fall were not permanent conditions and did not render Mr. Lilly totally disabled. Dr. Gleason testified that he has had some patients with these same injuries who were able to return to work.
The judge disagreed awarding the trucker $59,483.03 for past medical bills, $14,420.16 for future medical bills, $306,600 for lost wages and $519,330 for pain and suffering.
Total damages $899,833.19 awarded to Lilly.
