Plaintiff John Rouse brought suit against Defendants, Super Gro of Iowa, Inc. and Keith Cuvelier for damages alleged to have been the result of a motor vehicle accident on Highway 65, north of Princeton, Missouri. In August, 2007, Defendant Cuvelier, sole owner of Super Gro of Iowa, Inc., was nearly past Plaintiff while overtaking Plaintiff John Rouse, who was operating a tractor, when Rouse turned into him. The Plaintiff’s tractor, which had a front end loader and bale forks, contacted Cuvelier’s truck at the passenger door. The tractor caught on the trailer Defendant was pulling, causing the tractor to turn on its side.
Plaintiff alleged injuries to his neck and back as well as economic damages in excess of $500,000. Defendants offered to settle the case prior to trial for $55,000. The jury returned a verdict assessing Plaintiff 100% at fault and giving Plaintiff no award. Plaintiff’s last demand was $475,000.
