A federal jury recently awarded $4.5 million to Langdon & Emison client and U.S. Marine Aaron Eckerberg, ending a one-week trial in the U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri (Central Division). Bob Langdon and Mark Emison served as lead counsel at trial.
In February 2014, Eckerberg was driving a pick-up truck and attached trailer on 65 Highway near Sedalia, Mo., when a driver for Interstate Studio & Publishing Co. drove through a stop sign at an intersection and crashed into Eckerberg’s trailer, causing the truck and trailer to spin and flip upside-down in a ditch.
Eckerberg lost consciousness long enough for witnesses to believe he was dead. He suffered life-altering injuries, including a fractured thoracic vertebrate and a mild traumatic brain injury.
Langdon & Emison successfully argued that Eckerberg’s injuries were career-ending and had a significant impact on his future earnings. Eckerberg was 40 years old at the time of the accident and had made rank to lieutenant colonel by age 38. Prior to the accident, Eckerberg served five tours of duty as a helicopter pilot, three in combat.
“Aaron most likely had a long, successful career in the Armed Forces ahead of him,” said attorney Bob Langdon. “But after the mild traumatic brain injury, he had persisting issues with concentration, memory and focus.”
During trial, Eckerberg explained the precision required to fly and the difficulties the loss of focus would have on his ability to serve. His injuries made it only “a matter of time” before he could no longer serve, Langdon said.
Eckerberg resides with his wife and two young daughters in Liberty, Mo. The case is Eckerberg v. Inter-State Studio, Inc. 2:14-CV-4176.
About Langdon & Emison
Langdon & Emison is recognized as a leading personal injury law firm, having taken on some of the world’s largest corporations. With offices in Lexington, Mo., Kansas City (Mo.), St. Louis and Chicago, the firm represents plaintiffs from coast to coast. Langdon & Emison represented the plaintiff in Baker vs. General Motors, a landmark lawsuit where for the first time evidence was admitted into court proving an automaker’s deliberate choice of profits over human safety. The firm has earned a national reputation as a leader in auto defect cases, trucking accidents, and a full array of personal injury litigation.