Cab Company Hit with $1.5 million Verdict after Blind Man’s Death
A jury recently decided to award the estate of James Lafayette Taylor $1.5 million after he was struck by a cabbie four years ago and died in 2008 as a result from his injuries. The lawsuit claims that the cab driver who hit Taylor was partially blind and had a club foot which made him incompetent as a driver. Taylor’s attorneys stated that the cab driver’s disabilities were confirmed last month.
Defendant Rodney Charles Garrett was driving for the Cab Company and the lawsuit also named defendants Subhan Chaudhary, owner of the Cab Company, Shaukat Ali, owner of the taxi Garrett was driving when he hit Taylor, and the Cab Company. Garret who was driving the cab at the time of the accident is blind in one eye and required corrective surgery or lenses in the other eye and also had a club foot according to the lawsuit complaint. The lawsuit also states that Chaudhary knew when he hired Garrett the man had disabilities and a suspended license, which Garret had regained at the time of the accident.
The lawsuit against the driver, cab owner, and cab company owner also claims that Ali allowed his car to be used by the Cab Company without a background check or assurance from Chaudhary that the drivers were competent. Finally, the lawsuit claims that Garret was traveling at an excessive speed and negligently hitting Taylor. The civil lawsuit did not accuse the defendants of criminal acts but of negligence in causing Taylor’s injuries and death. Taylor suffered brain injuries that left him in severe pain and ultimately caused his wrongful death eight months after the accident which occurred on June 15, 2007.
In Tennessee and across the United States when companies allow their employees to work or operate vehicles even when they know they have a suspended license and or disabilities that would make it difficult for them to do these tasks, the company should be held responsible if a serious injury occurs as a result. If you or someone you know has suffered a serious injury or even death after a vehicle accident that a company may have been responsible for, you should speak with a Tennessee personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. They will hear your case and make sure that you get the compensation you need.
Contact us online or call us at 800.705.2121 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
