City of Charlotte CATS Bus Rear-Ends Handicapped
Accessible Van at Stoplight Jury Awards over $1 Million

City of Charlotte CATS Bus Rear-Ends 
Handicapped Accessible Van at Stoplight 

Jury Verdict:

$800,000 – Compensatory Damages +

$239,193 – Interest from the Date of Filing

$250,000 – Punitive Damages +

$89,315 – Interest from the Date of Filing

$26,822 – Cost Reimbursement

$1,405,330

Brief Statement of Claim:

City of Charlotte bus rear-ended handicapped accessible van that was stopped at a red light at an intersection; jury verdict of $800,000 in compensatory damages; interest from the date of filing $239,193; jury verdict of $250,000 in punitive damages; interest from the date of filing $89,315; costs $26,822.

Principal Damages:

A female in her 70s who was confined to a wheelchair as a result of muscular sclerosis but had full use of her arms sustained severe permanent injuries to her shoulders which caused her severe limitation in the use of her arms.

Trial or Settlement:

Trial (and Appeal by Defendants)

County where Tried or Settled:

Mecklenburg

Case Name and Number:

Springs v. City of Charlotte, et al., 07-CVS-11908

Date Concluded: 

Judgment dated August 15, 2008; compensatory damage award affirmed by Court of Appeals on January 18, 2011; punitive damage and cost award affirmed by Court of Appeals on August 7, 2012.

Attorneys for Plaintiffs:

T. LaFontine Odom, Sr. (trial and appeal), Thomas L. Odom, Jr. (trial and appeal) & David W. Murray (appeal), The Odom Firm, PLLC of Charlotte, North Carolina.