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Harris Lowry Manton LLP has secured an $11.2 million verdict on behalf of Richard and Elizabeth Jones, for the wrongful death of their daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Jones. In 2014, Jones was working as a camera assistant on the film Midnight Rider, a biopic on the life of legendary musician Gregg Allman, when a CSX train struck equipment set up on the tracks. The resulting collision impacted the crew and Jones with tremendous force, and Jones was unable to escape the path of the oncoming train.The jury trial in Jones v CSX, held in Chatham County State Court, began Monday, July 10 and concluded July 17 when jurors rendered their decision after receiving the case that afternoon for deliberation.
“No one wins in this situation,” said HLM Partner Jeff Harris, attorney for the Jones family. “Richard and Elizabeth would give anything to have their daughter back; to never have to go down this painful path. From day one, these amazing parents have been committed to ensuring life-saving safety measures are put into place across the film industry, so no other family has to endure the pain of losing a loved one to reckless and irresponsible decisions. Our firm’s mission is to give a voice to those who have been significantly harmed by the careless actions of others, and to work toward real, meaningful change that helps companies, like CSX, learn from mistakes and emerge better – doing more – to operate safely.”
The original case was filed against multiple parties; all but CSX Transportation either settled out of court, or were dropped from the lawsuit. The jury found CSX was liable for 35% of the verdict. Director Randall Miller was found to be 28% liable; landowner Rayonier, producer Jody Savin, Hillary Schwartz and Jay Sedrish were also apportioned liability.
CSX announced it plans to appeal the decision.
Rebecca Franklin Harris, Franklin Law, and Yvonne Godfrey, Harris Lowry Manton, served as co-counsel for the Plaintiffs.
What happened to Sarah Jones?
On February 20, 2014, Sarah Jones went to work on the film Midnight Rider. The crew was stationed at a train trestle near Doctortown Rd. While the crew was setting up for the shot, two CSX trains traveled down the tracks. Shortly thereafter, a third train made its way down the tracks. It was the third train that hit a bed on the track, which was being used as a prop for the day’s shoot, and sent shrapnel flying. The shrapnel injured six other crew members as well as Sarah, causing her death.
CSX claimed that the film company did not have permission to be on the tracks, and that the operator of the third train could not stop in time because he feared derailment. However, the jury agreed with Jeff Harris and the Jones family that the operators’ failure to follow company policy – to alert dispatch that people are on or near the tracks – was partially to blame for Sarah’s death.
About Harris Lowry Manton LLP
Harris Lowry Manton LLP is a premier personal injury law firm in Georgia. The firm has secured many significant verdicts and settlements on behalf of their clients, and is the only Georgia law firm to obtain #1 verdicts in six different practice areas. For 11 years running, HLM has held the record for the state’s largest plaintiffs’ awards. The firm maintains offices in Savannah and Atlanta, and focuses its work primarily in the areas of:
• Catastrophic personal injury
• Truck accidents
• Car crashes
• Defective product litigation
• Wrongful death
Contact Info:
Name: Jeff Harris
Email: Send Email
Organization: Harris Lowry Manton LLP
Address: 410 E. Broughton St., Savannah, GA 31401
Phone: 912-651-9967
Website: https://www.hlmlawfirm.com/savannah/
Release ID: 220417
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