A powerful jury verdict in Las Vegas recently brought long-awaited justice to a family whose lives were changed forever by one reckless act.
Earl Phillip Lawyer III (Phillip) was standing on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Charleston when his life was altered. A car, speeding at nearly 90 miles per hour, lost control and crashed onto the sidewalk. The impact left a path of devastation. The vehicle struck a parking bollard and a street post before slamming into Phillip and throwing him into the intersection. What began as a quiet night out in the town turned into months of pain, rehabilitation, and heartbreak for Philip and his family.
Our team at Shook & Stone was determined to uncover the truth and hold the people involved accountable. Through our thorough investigation, our attorneys discovered that the manager from Baja Auto Sales had taken a vehicle out for a joy ride after hours, using dealer plates without authorization. It was discovered that the company, along with its sister dealership Newport Motors, had no control system in place for tracking who had access to their vehicles, keys, or plates. That lack of oversight created a dangerous situation that ultimately led to Philip’s life-altering injuries.
The defense argued that the crash was an unforeseeable event, an accident that no one could have predicted. Our trial team proved it otherwise. We demonstrated that this tragedy was the result of negligence and poor management practices, not just bad luck.
This case was a true team effort led by John Shook and Emily Cunningham, with vital support from Julie Shook, Kiana O’Day, and Joe Camp. It took over 4 days of trial before Judge Maria Gall to set forth the events of the faithful night that altered Phillip’s life. The jury listened, asked critical questions, and ultimately saw the truth for what it was: This was a preventable tragedy caused by complete disregard for safety and responsibility.
In closing arguments, the defense urged the jury to simply “check three boxes ‘no’ and go home early.” But John Shook stood and spoke with conviction, asking the jurors to give Phillip’s story the attention and care it deserved. The courtroom grew silent as the jury absorbed words that a moment had captured the heart of the case.
That evening, justice was served. The jury returned the verdict of $3.34 million in total damages. $2.8 million for pain and suffering and $544,000 for medical expenses, holding both dealerships accountable for their negligence.
“This was a hard-fought trial,” said John Shook. “The defense threw every trick in the book at us, trying to evade responsibility, but our team was able to counter every defense and, in the end, get an excellent result for Phillip and his family.” Emily Cunningham added, “The family trusted us every step of the way, and we were honored to stand with them.”
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At Shook and Stone, victories like this reaffirm our commitment to helping those whose lives have been upended by negligence. Justice is never easy, and it takes courage, compassion, and teamwork. When all three come together, lives change for the better. This case was more than a verdict; it was a reminder that accountability matters and that every family deserves to be heard, protected, and respected. For Philip and his loved ones, justice finally prevailed, and we are proud to be the ones standing beside them every step of the way.
If you need help with a case please contact us at (702) 570-0000 or fill out our contact form here.
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