National Law Journal, December 3, 2001; Verdicts & Settlements; Motor Vehicle; Pg. B5

A MAN SEVERELY injured when he was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer last
year reached a $ 3.47 million settlement on July 10 with the owner and
operator of the big rig. On Sept. 4, 2000, Christopher Derek Martin, 32,
was stopped at a red light when he was rear-ended by an 18-wheeler owned
and operated by Thigpen Trucking Inc. Driving the rig was Michael Melvin
Sutherland. Martin, an electronic mapper, suffered a mild traumatic
brain injury, concussion, fractures of three transverse processes,
broken ribs and a broken collarbone. He also sustained injuries to his
knees and ankles, both requiring surgical repair. In addition, he was
left with numerous puncture wounds and cuts and a torn quadratus
lamborum muscle. His medical expenses totaled $ 150,000. The parties
agreed to a settlement of $ 3,476,230. Martin v. Thigpen Trucking Inc.,
No. 2000-51565 (Harris Co., Texas, Dist. Ct.).

PLAINTIFFS' ATTORNEYS: James E. Doyle, Bradley M. Whalen and Margaret C.
Cox, Doyle, Restrepo, Harvin & Robbins; Houston; J. D. Page, Houston

DEFENSE ATTORNEYS: James L. Ray, Daw & Ray, Houston; Charles W. Hurd;
Fulbright & Jaworski, Houston; John C. Blazier, Blazier, Christensen &
Bigelow, Austin, Texas; T. B. Wright, Wright & Greenhill, Austin