North Collins, New York | $600,000 | Truck/Farm Tractor Accident

Philip Taylor, a well-known farmer from Lawtons, New York, was driving a farm tractor towing a haybine on Route 62 in Erie County when the haybine was struck from behind by a New York State Department of Transportation dump truck. The impact caused the haybine to jackknife and, in turn, caused the farm tractor to overturn and Taylor was killed.

After a two-week trial before Court of Claims Judge Hon. John P. Lane, the Court found the State of New York 100% responsible for the death of Taylor. The State's argument that the decedent was contributorily negligent for proceeding in the roadway at too slow a speed was rejected by the Court. Three days of trial were consumed by experts testifying about the alleged negligence of each party and the cause of the collision. The Court again found entirely in the claimant's favor and ordered a trial on damages. The case was subsequently settled by the State for $600,000.