The collision occurred when an over-height load struck an interstate bridge, raining shattered concrete down upon Megan Arneson's car while she drove with her young son. During the legal proceedings, the motor carrier and driver exchanged blame, highlighting severe deficiencies in safety training and equipment. Jurors ultimately split the majority of liability across both the driver and the company. However, Chief Judge Daniel St. John II may drastically slash the $65 million verdict to beneath $600,000 unless he finds the defendants engaged in a felonious killing.
Key points
Colorado state law capped non-economic wrongful death damages at $598,350 at the time of…: Colorado state law capped non-economic wrongful death damages at $598,350 at the time of the fatal crash.
Chief Judge Daniel St. John II retains the authority to sharply reduce the jury's multi-m…: Chief Judge Daniel St. John II retains the authority to sharply reduce the jury's multi-million dollar award.
The established statutory damages cap will not restrict the payout if the court formally…: The established statutory damages cap will not restrict the payout if the court formally designates the act as a felonious killing.
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A Larimer County jury has awarded $65 million to the family of a Colorado single mother killed when a truck carrying an improperly loaded excavator struck an I-25 overpass in 2022. Megan Arneson was returning from a water park with her 10-year-old son when falling concrete debris struck her vehicle, killing her. The jury found the truck driver and his employer liable in the wrongful death lawsuit.
Kari Jones Dulin, founding partner of Dulin McQuinn Young, LLP, who represented Arneson's parents in the wrongful death lawsuit, said the $65 million award could never compensate for the loss of their daughter. “No amount of money can make up for this loss,” the attorney told CBS News. The plaintiffs were represented by Kari Jones Dulin, lead counsel, and Travis Young of Dulin McQuinn Young, as well as Dan Caplis and John Kellner of The Dan Caplis Law Firm.
A fun day turned into tragedy
It was supposed to be a fun day for Megan Arneson and her son. She wanted to surprise her son, who was about to start school, with a…
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