$26.1 Million Settlement in Philadelphia by Feldman Shepherd for Tractor-Trailer Auto Accident

Philadelphia personal injury attorneys Alan M. Feldman, Daniel J. Mann and  Edward S. Goldis of Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock & Dodig LLP negotiated a $26.1 million settlement in Sneeringer v. GLC Transportation. The settlement was reached on June 5, 2012 and is believed to be one of the largest personal injury settlements ever reported in Pennsylvania. James R. Melinson of JAMS served as the mediator.

In July of 2010, Kathryn S. was driving a Toyota on Interstate 80 in Central Pennsylvania. Her father, David Cook, was the front seat passenger and her husband, Peter S., was in the rear of the car with the family’s two dogs. Traffic was stopped due to road construction when the Toyota was hit in the rear by a tractor-trailer traveling more than 70 mph. The truck was driven by Spencer Chapman for GLC Transportation, Inc., a cheese products company.

As a result of the accident David Cook was killed instantly. Peter S. sustained a devastating traumatic brain injury. Kathryn S.’s physical injuries were relatively minor. The dogs also died in the crash. Claims were brought in a single lawsuit by the survivors of the accident and by Dori Cook, David’s widow.

Plaintiffs’ attorney Alan M. Feldman said, “This is a case in which reckless driving caused a family to suffer appalling death and destruction. Our clients are wonderful people who have endured a terrible loss for which they are still grieving. We are privileged to have had the opportunity to represent Dori, Peter and Kathryn and to help achieve some small measure of justice for them.”

Chester A. Dudzinski, Salvatore Vilardi and Judith A. Moses of Cipriani & Werner in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia served as defense counsel.