Dallas, TX, October 21, 2024 — Nationwide civil litigation and insurance defense firm Tyson & Mendes LLP today announced an important victory in a trucking lawsuit in Texas (Chad E. Hestand v. Myagmar Chuluunbat, Zalaat Group Inc. d/b/a Z Trans, in the 241st District Court of Smith County, Texas). Facing allegations of severe injuries resulting from a collision with a loaded tractor-trailer, San Antonio Complex Trial Partner Stephen Haynes convinced the jury to reject the plaintiff’s excessive damages claims, securing a favorable outcome for their client.

The lawsuit arose from a collision that occurred around 6 a.m. on a dark Texas highway, where the plaintiff alleged that the defendant driver failed to stop at a stop sign, causing a collision at 50 mph. The plaintiff sought compensation for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and neck and back injuries, initially demanding $950,000 before trial and increasing his request to $1.66 million during closing arguments. The defense argued a more reasonable number of $150,000 based on the facts of the case to counter plaintiff’s extremely inflated demand.

On behalf of his client, Mr. Haynes accepted responsibility for the accident early on, allowing the jury to focus on the damages, and in doing so, Mr. Haynes presented the defense as the more reasonable side in the case.

“Our goal was to accept responsibility and shift the jury’s focus to the real question: the appropriate value of damages,” said Mr. Haynes. “It was important for the jury to see that the injuries, while real, did not warrant the excessive amount the plaintiff sought.”

Senior Counsel Thera Cooper from Tyson & Mendes’ Dallas office played a key role in jury selection.

Mr. Haynes highlighted discrepancies between the plaintiff’s behavior immediately after the accident and his claims during litigation. He used evidence such as the 911 call and interactions with the investigating officer, which showed the plaintiff was coherent, communicative, and even declined EMS transport. Ultimately, the jury returned a verdict of $186,000, far below the $1.66 million sought by the plaintiff.

Tyson & Mendes maintains a strong reputation for excellence in trucking defense and high-exposure litigation in Texas and across the country.

About Tyson & Mendes LLP

Tyson & Mendes LLP is a nationwide, AV-rated litigation and trial firm specializing in insurance defense and protecting its clients from Nuclear Verdicts®. Founded in 2002 by Robert Tyson and Patrick Mendes, the firm has experienced tremendous growth, with offices across the United States. Tyson & Mendes is known for its expertise in defending corporations, insurance companies, and their clients against Nuclear Verdicts®.

Serving 21 states nationwide, Tyson & Mendes is one of the fastest-growing civil defense firms in the U.S. and is proud to offer one of the fastest and clearest paths to partnership for its attorneys of any mid-sized law firm in the U.S. The firm is honored to be recognized as a 2024 Best Law Firm by Best Lawyers, named a 2024 Best Company to Work For: Law Firms edition by U.S. News & World Report, awarded the 2023 Liberty Mutual Insurance External Law Firm Partner of the Year Award, awarded the No. 1 “Ceiling Smasher” in Law360’s 2022 Glass Ceiling Report for female equity partnership, and shortlisted for Financial Times’ 2022 Innovative Lawyers North America Award.

For more information, visit www.tysonmendes.com.

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Jennifer Johnston
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Plat4orm PR

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