A mechanic who claimed he sustained career-ending injuries in a collision with a tractor-trailer recovered $705,374. On Oct. 13, 2004, Billy Burnett, then 41, was driving on State Highway 36 in Lufkin when he collided with the trailer as it was making a left turn. Burnett alleged the trailer, which was owned by Pilgrim's Pride Corp. and operated by employee Jack Alton Sherman, was overloaded and that this prevented Sherman from making the turn at the speed needed to avoid the crash. Burnett sustained femur, tibia and ulna fractures, a torn meniscus and a brachial plexus injury to his right arm. He said the arm injury resulted in loss of sensitivity and grip strength, rendering him unable to work. The defense argued that Burnett had plenty of time to stop before the crash and accused him of driving while impaired. The jury found Pilgrim's Pride 25 percent, Sherman 40 percent and Burnett 35 percent liable. It determined that Burnett's damages were $1,085,190, but the award was reduced due to the finding of comparative negligence.
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