According to the Republican Herald, a Schuylkill County jury has awarded a New Philadelphia man $375,000 against Koppenheffer & Sons Trucking Co. Inc, and Jeffrey W. Rear.
The Judge who presided over the trial, Domalakes, must reduce the award to the plaintiff by 25 percent because the jury found that his own negligence contributed to the truck accident.
Edward Bernitsky filed a lawsuit against the trucking company and one of its drivers, alleging they caused the accidents in the southbound lanes of Route 61 in Port Clinton. The plaintiff testified that the driver’s tractor trailer had turned in front of him as he was driving south.
Bernitsky claimed he suffered an injury to his right ankle that continues to be a pain problem, and has left him unable to work as a journeyman electrician for several weeks. The plaintiff testified the truck accident cost him his job and imperiled his future with his current employer. He had underwent two surgeries to repair the damage to his ankle, but continues to have pain.
