Minnesota Jury Awards $800,000 in Wrongful Death Case

When a life is tragically cut short by the carelessness of another, the pain for the family is immeasurable. For one Minnesota family, tragedy struck on a quiet rural road in the worst possible way. Their father was killed while trying to save his dog: an act of love that sadly cost him his life.

For years, this family was told their loved one was at fault for his own death. Law enforcement, the other driver, and even insurance companies pointed fingers at him. However, after a tough, hard-fought trial led by attorneys Derek Stewart and Pam Spaulding of Meshbesher & Spence, a jury finally gave this grieving family the justice and recognition they deserved: an $800,000 wrongful death verdict in Minnesota that was about far more than money.

At Meshbesher & Spence, we know that behind every case is a family’s story of loss, hope, and the fight to be heard. Since 1961, we’ve been more than just lawyers. We’ve been champions for families who refuse to be overlooked, no matter how difficult the case. This recent wrongful death verdict is not just a number. It’s a reminder of why we fight so fiercely for every client.

If you’re being told there’s nothing you can do, we’re here to say otherwise. Reach out to Meshbesher & Spence online or by calling (612) 339-9121 today for a free consultation.

How Our Minnesota Wrongful Death Lawyers Helped One Family Fight Back After a Devastating Loss

Our client, a 64-year-old man, was trying to rescue his dog, who had just been hit by a car. In a moment that would change his family’s lives forever, he was struck and killed by another driver.

The circumstances were challenging from the start. The at-fault driver claimed she was “blinded” by our client’s headlights and couldn’t see him. The responding law enforcement agency sided with her, supporting her statement and placing the blame for the crash on our client. 

A family, already reeling from the loss of their father, was now being told by police that he was at fault for his own death. It was an infuriating message to hear in an already painful time.

Why Meshbesher & Spence Took This Case All the Way to Trial

When our firm was approached, we saw the painful truth behind the initial police report. Attorneys Pam Spaulding and Derek Stewart led this case, knowing it required a strong and persistent legal voice.

While some firms might have turned the case away or pushed for a quick, low settlement, we believed the family deserved much more. That’s why we chose to take the case all the way to trial.

The deceased was 64 years old, and his insurance company used this, along with the fact that he was obese, as a central part of their defense. They tried to argue that his life was not as valuable because of these factors, an incredibly insulting position to take. But we refused to let them diminish the value of his life. We knew the jury needed to hear his full story and understand the deep loss his family had experienced.

We prepared for a full trial, building a case to prove that the at-fault driver was negligent and that the true value of their father’s life was significant.

Wrongful Death Settlements: Why This $800,000 Verdict Mattered

For a wrongful death case to succeed, the legal work goes far beyond showing who was at fault. We also have to help the jury understand the full scope of what was lost, not just financially, but emotionally. 

In this case, that meant showing the real impact of a father’s absence in the lives of his children. We worked to show the value of his aid, advice, and companionship, which are things no amount of money in wrongful death settlements can truly replace.

Ultimately, the jury agreed that the driver was responsible for the crash and assigned her 51% of the fault. That decision allowed the family to recover damages. After hearing all the evidence, the jury awarded $800,000. This was a monumental win in an unconventional case and a clear example of successful wrongful death case results.

Car accident wrongful death attorney Derek Stewart described the moment best:

“For me, the most rewarding part of the case was that the family was finally able to hear that their father wasn’t at-fault for his own death. They had been told for three years that their father was at fault for his own death, by the other driver, by law enforcement, and in this case by his own insurance company. Seeing a unanimous jury reject that was so important for the family.”

The Importance Behind Wrongful Death Case Results Like This

While an $800,000 verdict is significant, cases like this often come with high costs, both financial and otherwise. However, compensation is not the only driving force behind wrongful death lawsuits, and it’s not what drives us. 

We take on these challenging cases because we believe in doing what’s right by our clients above all else. Even when the odds are steep, we stand by the families whose experiences demand acknowledgement, because their stories and the lives they’ve lost matter.

The emotional and moral victory for this family was priceless. It brought them a sense of peace and closure they had been denied for years. The jury was able to learn about the person behind the legal facts and figures. We showed them the father, the grandfather, the person whose absence has left a lasting void in the lives of those who loved him. 

A Minnesota Wrongful Death Lawyer at Meshbesher & Spence Is Here for You

Since 1961, Meshbesher & Spence has been more than just a law firm; we’ve been a voice for those who need one, a source of strength for families picking up the pieces following an unimaginable loss. 

With over $1.1 billion recovered, our results speak for themselves, but our true measure of success is the trust we’ve earned and the lives we’ve helped change. We believe that the lawyer you choose can shape the outcome and the experience of your case. This wrongful death verdict in Minnesota is the embodiment of that belief in action.

If you’ve lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve a legal team that will treat your case with care, respect, and relentless determination. Contact Meshbesher & Spence today online or by calling (612) 339-9121.