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$8 Million Jury Award Largest In Indiana

Last updated on Thursday, April 5, 2012

(BLOOMINGTON) - Mike Phelps, a Bloomington, Ind., based attorney with Ken Nunn Law Office, has won an $8 million lawsuit verdict in the injury of an Indianapolis plaintiff.

It is the largest verdict awarded in the state of Indiana so far in 2012, on either the state or federal judicial level.

While working on the cardboard production line of an Indianapolis factory on Oct. 10, 2007, the plaintiff got his hand caught in a compression roller during the initial start-up phase for some new equipment. Four fingers on his left hand were crushed, eventually requiring amputation and a dozen surgeries. He incurred $255,000 in medical bills and $67,000 in lost wages, and a disability rating of 90 percent on his left arm.

Phelps brought action against AJ Engineering, Inc. of New Bern, N.C., the firm that designed the new equipment, contending it had been designed defectively. A settlement offer of $100,000 was rejected, and the parties brought the case before a jury in the U.S. District Court - Southern District of Indiana.

Following a four-day trial, the jury awarded a total of $7 million to the plaintiff and $1 million to his spouse. AJ Engineering was found to be responsible for 70 percent of the damages, for a net verdict of $5.6 million.

"We are very pleased Mike Phelps was able to attain justice for the plaintiff and his family," Ken Nunn said. "Even a substantial jury award like this cannot erase the pain and suffering they have endured. But it should bring much-deserved stability and security to their lives. I commend Mike for his aggressive and diligent work in this case."

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