Page 34 - ATR 2 2020 digital

Nuclear Verdict Hits

Too Close to Home

Arkansas carrier and lawyer discuss what happens
when one lawsuit costs a business

By Steve Brawner
Contributing Writer

Ed. Note: Court activity, like most things
in America, has paused for emergency
cases as everyone focuses on only what
is most urgent to prevent further spread
of COVID-19. That may be good news
for legal battles in the trucking industry,
which can sometimes end in devastating
‘nuclear verdicts.’ But when judges are
back on their benches and juries reconvene
in courthouses, trucking companies will
need to stay educated about how these
decisions continue to affect the industry.
When Little Rock-based RCX
Solutions’ tractor broke down in
Brownsville, Texas, while hauling a load
to Arkansas on Jan. 9, 2015, the broker-
age division hired another carrier. Its
truck was involved in a bad accident.

THE SAD REALITY
IS, WHEN YOU HAVE
SOMETHING, THERE ARE
AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE
OUT THERE THAT WANT
WHAT YOU HAVE, AND
That crash — along with a $7.5 mil-
THEY’RE THERE TO TRY lion verdict that came partly because across the country, though not so much
in Arkansas — yet — are growing more
TO TAKE IT. of a misplaced RCX logo – put Randy comfortable delivering huge judgments.
Clifton Jr.’s company out of business And according to attorney Greg Jones
—GREG JONES, ATTORNEY, five years later. with the Wright Lindsey Jennings law
WRIGHT LINDSEY JENNINGS Unfortunately, Clifton is hardly firm, motor carriers must know how
the only trucking company owner to to defend themselves against plaintiff’s
be hit by a “nuclear verdict.” Juries 

34 Issue 2 2020 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT