The Estate of Sarah Susman v. R&T Logging

Summary

An Oregon state court jury delivered a a defense verdict for a logging company in a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from an intoxicated truck driver crashing and sending his cargo of logs tumbling into another car.

The Lane County jury returned their verdict in June 27 following an eight-day trial. The family of Sarah Susman sought roughly $73 million in damages for her 2021 death, claiming defendant R&T Logging was negligent in hiring an allegedly unqualified driver with a checkered safety record. Despite the driver being sentenced to 10 years in prison for manslaughter over the incident, R&T successfully argued they reasonably relied on a solid recommendation from another company with an established reputation and shouldn't be held responsible for the driver's individual conduct.

Outcome

Verdict for the defense