Gilmore Law Office

Back to Article List

The wrongful death case of Charlie Norris has been settled for $5.5 million, according to Gil Gilmore, attorney for Daphine W Norris. Norris's widow and administrator of his estate.

Gilmore has a check for that amount in hand Monday morning from Wausau Insurance Co., the Insurance carrier for Prassel transports.

Norris, a longtime Grove Hill resident, was killed in an accident with a Prassel truck on Jan 20, 1999 on Highway 84, just west of Grove Hill as he was returning home.

The civil case had been scheduled to go to trial for the week of Aug. 14.

Gilmore said that a computer animated video that included actual wreck photographs helped convince Prassel of Jackson, Miss to settle the case.

Prassel Transports is a division of Prassel Lumber Co. The driver of the truck, Robert Bell, was not seriously injured in the accident.

The video showed a recreated animated scene of Norris's small pickup traveling wast on Highway 84. It showed the oncoming tractor-trailer rig, loaded with plywood, come near or cross the center line and force another pickup off the road. The rig then turned on its side just as it reached Norris' pickup, slicing across it and killing him instantly.

Gilmore said that he had uncovered evidence that Prassel had ignored or had taken shortcuts in hiring drivers, in safety aspects and had falsified logbooks.

"All of it cost Charlie Norris his life. This should send a message to companies to comply with the law or suffer consequences."

Gilmore said he has had juries render larger judgments onto to have appellant courts reduce them. This however, is the largest amount he has ever collected on a case.

Gilmore said the entire firm of Gilmore Law Office worked hard on the case for months. He credited new technology and the animated video with helping to convince Prassel's attorneys to settle the case.

"We had an animation expert, a reconstruction expert and a transportation expert experienced in federal motor carrier safety laws to help us with the case," he said.

The driver of the truck, Bell, earlier this year pleaded guilty to the criminal charge of vehicular homicide in Norris' death and was given a two-year probated sentence.

The Clarke County Democrat

Back to Article List