Sherri Tramble vs. Linetec Service, LLC, et al

Case Background

On June 29, 2022, Plaintiff Sherri Tramble filed an Ambulance Crash lawsuit in the  Louisiana State, District Court of St. Landry Parish County (Case number: 22-10939). Judge Gerard A. Caswell presided over the case.

Cause

On the evening of July 8, 2021, Sherri Tramble, a 36-year-old paramedic from Carencro, Louisiana, was working for St. Landry Parish EMS. While treating a patient in the back of a 2019 Ram Express ambulance, Tramble did not use the available seatbelt. Her colleague, Margo Bellard, drove the ambulance westbound on Highway 182 in St. Landry Parish near I-49 shortly after 7:00 PM. At the same time, Joshua Briscoe, driving a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado for LineTec Services, tried to enter the I-49 entrance ramp but turned in front of the ambulance. The resulting collision caused the ambulance to t-bone the pickup truck, inflicting substantial damage to both vehicles.

Injuries

The collision mentioned in a Ambulance Crash lawsuit violently threw the unrestrained Tramble within the ambulance’s rear compartment, causing catastrophic injuries. She suffered a severe head laceration that caused heavy bleeding and knocked her unconscious at the scene. Her breathing was compromised as blood blocked her airway. Medical examinations revealed multiple skull fractures affecting her eye socket, cheek, and nose, alongside a dangerous subdural brain bleed and a C-7 spinal fracture. The most devastating consequence was a severe traumatic brain injury, which left Tramble with permanent global deficits. Although she appears outwardly normal, she struggles with verbal expression and cognitive functions, requiring 24/7 care. Her recovery includes ongoing occupational and physical therapy, where she has shown slow progress.

Damages

The financial impact of Tramble’s injuries is extensive, with medical expenses surpassing $1,000,000. Her damages included a comprehensive life care plan covering her need for 24/7 care and ongoing medical treatment. Economic damages included past and future medical expenses, along with substantial lost wages, as she is unable to return to work. The case also involved significant non-economic damages across multiple categories, reflecting the profound impact on her quality of life. Tramble’s husband, a U.S. deportation agent, took on the role of her curator during the proceedings, but he did not pursue a loss of consortium claim despite their ten-year marriage.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

 

  • Defendant(s):Joshua Briscoe | Linetec Service, LLC | Arch Insurance Company as liability carrier and UM/UIM carrier

Claims

Tramble named Joshua Briscoe as the primary Defendant, asserting that he caused the accident by negligently turning his pickup truck into the path of the ambulance. She also included LineTec Services in her claims under employer liability principles since Briscoe was driving the Chevrolet Silverado within the scope of his job at the time of the crash. Arch American, as the insurance carrier for LineTec Services, was also named as a Defendant.

While Tramble pursued her third-party claims against the Defendants, her Ambulance Crash lawsuit also involved interaction with workers’ compensation. A workers’ compensation insurer intervened in the proceedings to protect their interests, adding complexity to her claims as any recovery would need to account for workers’ compensation liens.

Defense

LineTec Services mounted a multi-layered defense strategy that challenged both liability and damages in a Ambulance Crash lawsuit. They argued comparative fault, attempting to shift responsibility to Tramble’s employer for failing to provide adequate training in safe paramedic care procedures in ambulances. The defense also targeted Tramble’s conduct, arguing that her failure to wear an available seatbelt contributed to her injuries. Notably, LineTec Services did not attempt to assign any fault to Margo Bellard, the ambulance driver.

The cornerstone of LineTec Services’ defense centered on challenging the extent and permanence of Tramble’s claimed injuries. While the defense acknowledged that Tramble suffered serious injuries in the collision, they contested her assertion of permanent impairment. LineTec Services argued that Tramble exaggerated her symptoms and questioned the severity of her ongoing cognitive and physical limitations. The defense specifically suggested that Tramble engaged in malingering behavior, implying that her symptoms were fabricated or deliberately overstated to increase her compensation.

Expert Testimony

The Plaintiff introduced several expert witnesses, including Dr. Howard Katz in Physical Medicine, Dr. David Weir in Neurology, Dr. Jayme Trahan in Neuropsychiatry, and neuropsychologists Susan Andrews and Dr. Nadia Webb. Each expert gave detailed testimony about the severity and permanence of the Plaintiff’s injuries. The Plaintiff argued that the Defendant’s failure to yield the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle directly caused the collision, which led to her being thrown around the rear compartment of the ambulance.

In response, the Defendants presented their own expert witnesses. Dr. Kevin Bianchini conducted a neuropsychological evaluation, while Dr. Kevin Greve specifically rebutted the testimony of Susan Andrews. Todd Cowen, specializing in Physical Medicine, also testified for the defense. These experts sought to challenge the Plaintiff’s claims regarding the extent of her injuries.

Jury Verdict

On September 23, 2024, the jury delivered a decisive verdict in favor of Sherri Tramble, finding Joshua Briscoe solely negligent for the accident. They rejected LineTec Services’ attempts to blame either St. Landry Parish EMS for alleged training deficiencies or Tramble for not wearing a seatbelt.

In assessing economic damages, the jury awarded Tramble $1,053,176 for incurred medical expenses and $61,433,984 for future medical care and her life care plan. They determined her lost wages amounted to $215,447 and awarded $1,707,503 for future wage losses. The total economic damages reached $64,410,110.

The jury then awarded non-economic damages across seven distinct categories. They granted Tramble $20,000,000 for past suffering and $25,000,000 for future suffering. Further, they matched these amounts for mental anguish, awarding $20,000,000 for past anguish and $25,000,000 for future anguish. Additionally, they granted $60,000,000 for past and future loss of enjoyment of life as a combined category. The jury also awarded $5,000,000 for disability and $500,000 for scarring. The non-economic damages totaled $155,500,000. The total award amounted to $219,910,110 which was given to a Plaintiff in a Ambulance Crash Lawsuit.

Breakdown:

  • Economic Damages: $64,410,110
  • Non-Economic Damages: $155,500,000

Court Documents:

Available Upon Request