We’re honored to share a powerful outcome for a courageous young man whose life changed in an instant.
A Waterbury jury rendered a $45 million verdict to our 22-year-old client who suffered permanent paralysis after a crash caused by a dangerously parked tow truck. The verdict ensures he will receive the care, support, and medical treatment he needs for the rest of his life.
What Happened
Our client was riding his motorcycle along Main Street in Oakville, CT when a tow truck, parked illegally in a way that blocked sightlines for both him and an exiting SUV, created a tragic chain of events. Despite his best efforts to avoid a collision, he clipped the SUV’s bumper and was thrown from his motorcycle — suffering devastating injuries, including a T12 spinal cord injury resulting in permanent lower-body paralysis.
The Case
The defense argued our client was speeding in excess of 61 mph in a 25 mph zone. We showed the jury that while he may have been exceeding the speed limit while travelling with traffic at 37 mph, he only accelerated to 60+ mph to get out of the blind spot created by the dangerously parked tow truck; and that the real cause of the crash was the negligent parking of the tow truck and the failure to maintain safe exit conditions from the business premises.
The jury agreed—assigning 65% fault to the tow truck company, 25% to the SUV driver, and only 10% to our client.
Our Commitment
This case highlights the tremendous responsibility injury lawyers take on. When someone places their future in our hands, we treat that trust with the seriousness it deserves. We test arguments in our in-house mock courtroom, analyze every legal strategy, and prepare meticulously for trial — because the outcome isn’t just about numbers. It’s about a life.
“We’re incredibly thankful to the jury for delivering this just result for our client,” said attorney Michael A. D’Amico. “Our client is a kind, optimistic young man who now has the security and resources to rebuild his life. We’re grateful to the jury for listening closely and honoring their duty to do justice.”
The case was handled jointly by Michael A. D’Amico and Jeremy D’Amico.
Case Name: Don D. Zemo IV v. MyHoopty.com, LLC, et al.
Court: Superior Court, Judicial District of Waterbury
Docket No.: UWY-CV22-6064639-S
Questions? If you or someone you know has been injured in a motorcycle crash or other catastrophic event, contact us to learn how we may be able to help.