In 2025, attorneys Derek Stewart and Pam Spaulding obtained an $800,000 jury verdict for the family of a Minnesota man who was killed while trying to rescue his dog after it had been struck by a vehicle. From the onset, the case faced serious challenges. Law enforcement, the other driver, and even insurance representatives argued that the man was responsible for the events that led to his death.
The man had stopped to help his injured dog when he was struck by an approaching vehicle. The driver claimed she could not see him because she was blinded by headlights, and investigators initially accepted that explanation. For years, the family was left hearing that their loved one was at fault, adding another layer of pain to an already devastating loss.
Meshbesher & Spence took a closer look at the circumstances surrounding the crash and challenged the conclusions that had been made in the immediate aftermath of the incident. Through a detailed investigation and careful case preparation, the legal team fought hard to show that the driver failed to act with reasonable care and that responsibility for the crash did not rest solely with the victim.
When the case reached trial, the family finally had the opportunity to challenge the narrative they had been forced to hear for years. The defense argued that the man was responsible for the crash and pointed to factors such as his age and health in an effort to unfairly limit the value of the claim.
Attorneys Stewart and Spaulding believed the evidence told an entirely different story. They worked to show that the driver’s actions, not just the victim’s presence in the roadway, contributed to the fatal crash.
After hearing the evidence, the jury found the driver primarily responsible for the fatal crash and awarded the family $800,000 in damages. The verdict gave the family more than financial compensation. After years of being told their loved one was responsible for his own death, the jury’s decision provided accountability and recognition of the loss they had suffered.