Morelli Alters Ratner, LLP Files Negligence Lawsuit Against Wal-Mart on Behalf of Tracy Morgan
Morelli Alters Ratner, LLP - a world-class plaintiff's litigation with offices in New York and Miami - has recently filed a lawsuit against Wal-Mart on behalf of Actor-Comedian Tracy Morgan and two others who were seriously injured during a collision caused by a company truck driver.
TRENTON, N.J., July 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The plaintiff's litigation firm of Morelli Alters Ratner, LLP has built a reputation for handling high profile and complex cases, and has recovered billions of dollars in compensation on behalf of clients who have suffered losses caused by the negligence or intentional misconduct of others. Recently, the firm filed a lawsuit against Wal-Mart Stores Inc., alleging that the company's negligence contributed to a serious truck accident that left Actor-Comedian Tracy Morgan and two others critically injured. The lawsuit, which was filed on Thursday July 10, claims that Tracy Morgan, Ardley Fuqua, Jr., and Jeffrey Millea were passengers in a vehicle that was rear-ended by a Wal-Mart truck operated by Kevin Roper.
Court documents state that the June 7th accident occurred on the New Jersey Turnpike as Morgan, his assistant Jeffrey Millea, and fellow comedians Ardley Fuqua, Jr. and James McNair were returning from a stand-up comedy show in Delaware. McNair was killed in the crash. Morgan, Millea, and Fuqua – who all suffered serious injuries as a result of the collision – retained Morelli Alters Ratner, LLP to bring the lawsuit against Wal-Mart. Millea's wife also joined the lawsuit, but was not a passenger in the vehicle.
According to the civil complaint (case #3:14-CV-04388-MAS-LHG, Trenton, New Jersey), Wal-Mart's negligence substantially contributed to the accident and injuries suffered by Morgan, Fuqua, and Millea. They allege that Wal-Mart knew or should have known that Roper – who lived in Georgia and was based out of a Wal-Mart facility in Delaware – commuted an excessive distance of 750 miles before working nearly 14 hours driving a company truck. Roper was also driving 65 mph in a 45 mph construction zone 60 seconds before the crash, and is currently facing criminal charges for death and assault by auto.
In the lawsuit, the firm cites a number of instances that demonstrate Wal-Mart's negligence as a substantial contributing factor to the accident. The suit claims that Wal-Mart knew or should have known that Roper's hours did not comply with federal trucking regulations against driver fatigue, that he had been awake for more than 24 hours, and that it was unreasonable for him to travel more than 700 miles to work at a facility in Delaware when there were numerous other facilities much closer to where he lived, including nine in Georgia. The lawsuit also alleges that state-of-the-art collision-avoidance systems in the truck were not working properly, and that Wal-Mart knew or should have known that this crucial safety feature was compromised.
Partner Benedict Morelli commented on the case, stating that "Wal-Mart's creation of a culture that forces its truck drivers to drive long distances without sleep – in violation of safety regulations – has put many drivers and passengers on the road at risk of injury and death. Mr. Roper was forced to drive over 700 miles from his home in Georgia to Delaware to pick up his truck and then begin his shift, which ended in this tragic accident some 13 hours later. We intend to hold Wal-Mart fully responsible for all the harm they have caused to our clients and their families in this horrific accident."
By exposing Wal-Mart's failures to comply with federal trucking regulations, condemn excessive commutes by drivers, and ensure the safety of their vehicles, Morelli Alters Ratner, LLP hopes to recover full and just compensation for the damages suffered by their clients. The firm is also seeking punitive damages on behalf of Morgan and others as a result of Wal-Mart's gross negligence. The firm's legal team intends to apply the same passionate advocacy and trial skills that have allowed them to secure numerous precedent-setting verdicts.
Morelli Alters Ratner, LLP is a highly accomplished plaintiff's litigation firm with offices in New York and Miami. The firm's team of injury attorneys is equipped with over a century of combined experience, and has recovered billions of dollars in compensation on behalf of victims and families across the world. More information about the firm can be found at www.morellialters.com.
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SOURCE Morelli Alters Ratner, LLP
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