Trial Magazine

Tom Gillette parked his pickup truck in a residential neighborhood in Everett, Wash., where he was doing construction work on a home. As Gillette was unloading sawhorses from the back of the truck, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Deputy John Sadro, who was transporting a witness to court, ran a stop sign while traveling 49 mph in a 25-mph zone. Another motorist with the ­right-of-way broadsided the police cruiser, causing it to spin around and strike Gillette, pinning him between the police cruiser and the bumper of his truck.

Gillette, 59, suffered severe crush injuries to both legs, which were almost fully amputated at the scene. He was hospitalized and nearly died from blood loss. Doctors were unable to save his legs. His left leg was amputated just below the knee, and his right leg was amputated at the knee. He underwent more than 12 surgeries and spent nearly two months in the hospital. He now uses a wheelchair and requires some assistance with daily living activities. His past medical expenses totaled more than $425,000, and his future care costs are estimated at more than $1.3 million.

Gillette was unable to return to work and claimed more than $600,000 for impairment of earning capacity and future lost earnings.

Gillette and his wife contended that Sadro was reckless and negligent for driving nearly twice the speed limit in a residential neighborhood and running a stop sign. They were prepared to show that Sadro was not engaged in a police pursuit or other emergency at the time and had not activated his lights or siren. They were also prepared to present ­black-box data recovered from the police cruiser confirming Sadro’s speed.

The parties settled before suit was filed for $14.3 million, paid by the county’s insurer. The settlement included payments for home modifications and a specially equipped van.

Citation: Gillette v. Snohomish Cnty., Wash., settled before filing, Sept. 28, 2016.

Claimant counsel: Joe R. Traylor, Portland, Ore.