Driver Struck By Municipal Vehicle Awarded $2.4 Million

On January 8, 2010 Plaintiff Jesse Mickens Jr. had just entered his vehicle at a parking lot in Elizabeth, NJ when it was rear-ended by a maintenance truck owned by the city and driven by a city employee.  Mr. Mickens had not yet put on his seat belt, and the impact caused him to sustain herniated discs in his back requiring surgery.  He eventually returned to work as a laborer, but could no longer perform heavy tasks.  Liability was stipulated to by the city, and the case was tried on the issue of damages only.  On August 8, 2013 a Union County jury found that Mr. Mickens suffered a permanent injury and awarded him $2.4 million.