Man Whose Leg Was Amputated After Jet Ski crash in North Carolina is Awarded $5.75M

As a personal injury lawyer, I see many instances in which insurance companies fail to play fair, even after a terrible accident that leads to the loss of a limb.

This was the case in a jet ski accident on Lake Norman on Memorial Day in 2007. North Carolina Lawyers Weekly reported on how the insurance company’s refusal to pay up more than $350,000, led to a $5.75 jury verdict.

Two acquaintances, Howard Hazlett and Frederick Gibb, were riding jet skis’ over Memorial Day Weekend on Lake Norman when Gibb’s jet ski crashed into Hazlett’s, totaling it, and crushed his leg. The results were terrible for Hazlett who underwent surgery to amputate his leg. Gibb suffered a broken femur.

State Farm Insurance Group was the insurance carrier for the jet skis in the case. The coverage was an underlying watercraft policy of $100,000 plus an umbrella policy of $1 million. The insurance company refused to make a settlement above $350,000. Hazlett was initially willing to settle for $550,000, but ended up going to trial because State Farm wouldn’t even meet that amount, North Carolina Lawyers Weekly reported.

A jury in Mecklenburg County Superior Court awarded $5.7 million to the plaintiff. Hazlett was represented by attorney John Jensen. All cases are unique and different and we cannot promise the same result in your case, but will work tirelessly on your case in order to obtain the jury verdict or settlement that you deserve.

Amputations are serious injuries that can change your life permanently. Jet skis are among the most dangerous of water craft. They can reach speeds of 60 miles-per-hour and cause death or serious injury of they are used improperly or recklessly.

Last year Fox News reported on a tragic jet ski accident that left the 11-year-old stepson of R&B star Usher brain dead.

If you have been injured in an accident involving a water craft in North Carolina or Virginia, call the serious personal injury attorneys at Cooper Hurley at 757.455.0077.

The North Carolina, Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Hampton, VA personal injury law firm, Cooper Hurley, handles automobile, truck, and motorcycle injuries as well as wrongful death, railroad injury cases and medical malpractice. John Cooper and Jim Hurley have over 40 years of combined experience in handling auto injury accident claims. Attorney John Cooper has been named to Virginia “Super Lawyers” since 2010. Cooper Hurley represents people hurt in accidents in North Carolina, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News and throughout VA. Our motto is: “Your Injury, our fight.” If you need help or advice about a serious injury, please call us at (757) 455 -0077 or contact us through this website.