Jurors in a federal court have awarded more than $2 million to an Oklahoma truck driver as compensation for injuries he sustained while unloading his truck at a Dollar General store in Michigan. The work accident took place in late 2007, when Gregory Baird of Oklahoma was unloading his semi-truck. According to Baird, a box weighing nearly 40 pounds fell on his head, knocking him unconscious and leaving him with persistent neck and back injuries. If you have suffered injuries in a workplace accident in Oklahoma City, or elsewhere in Oklahoma, contact our reputable attorneys at Oklahoma Legal Center to discuss your legal options. You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for your injuries and medical bills, which our lawyers can help you pursue.
OK Truck Driver Injured on the Job
The original workers’ comp verdict in U.S. District Court awarded Baird $4.6 million and his wife $250,000, but the jury also determined that Baird was 52% at fault, which reduced the award amount proportionately. In an interview with the injured worker’s attorney, it was reported that the jury found Baird partially at fault for the work injury because they say he should have used a light and should not have unloaded his truck in the dark. During the trial, which lasted 11 days, ten doctors testified on behalf of Dollar General, saying that Baird was not injured. Dollar General also presented testimony saying that Baird could have unloaded his rig the next day in the light, but the trucker’s attorney said his client had just started a new job with Hogan Trucking, and would have been fired if he had waited to unload the next day.
Contact Our Legal Team to File a Claim
According to court documents, Baird’s workers’ compensation suit was originally filed in 2011. Baird’s attorney says the truck driver has filed for workers’ compensation benefits for his injuries, which he still suffers from, but has never been paid. Workers’ comp benefits are critical for Oklahoma workers who sustain injuries on the job severe enough to require treatment and prevent them from returning to their job duties. If you have been injured in an on-the-job accident in Oklahoma, or if you lost a loved one in a fatal work accident, consult our knowledgeable lawyers at Oklahoma Legal Center as soon as possible. With our legal team on your side, you can ensure that your legal rights are protected and pursue the financial compensation you deserve for your work injuries.