November 19, 2025

ATLANTA – Partner Scott Moulton, Partner Paul Trainor, and Associate Jack Richardson, secured a complete defense verdict for a national motor carrier in a complex wrongful death lawsuit. The outcome successfully countered a policy limit demand of $5 million made just prior to trial and prevented significant exposure that exceeded available policy limits, with the potential to avert an eight-figure judgment had the case proceeded to the damages phase.

Overview of the Case

The case centered on a fatal collision where Plaintiffs alleged that a commercial driver employed by QPWB’s client was negligent in blocking a roadway, which consequently caused the death of the decedent. The litigation was highly complex due to the liability claims and the legal environment surrounding apportionment of fault to non-parties. This high-risk matter required a sustained, evidence-driven defense over the course of the litigation.

Key Difference-Makers

• Scott Moulton – Partner, Atlanta Hub
• Paul Trainor – Partner, Atlanta Hub
• Jack Richardson – Associate, Atlanta Hub

Claims Made Against Our Client

Plaintiffs maintained that our client's driver created an unavoidable hazard by allegedly stopping and blocking the right lane and emergency shoulder, leaving the decedent no avenue of escape. Furthermore, Plaintiffs sought to apportion non-party fault to five different non-parties. Given a change in the law, the client would have been legally responsible for the entire judgment encompassing all fault apportioned to it and the non-parties, even if the client's liability was only 1%. This created significant exposure potentially well above the $5 million policy limits. Plaintiff's counsel intimated a potential ask for over $20 million had the case progressed to the damages phase, underscoring the risk of an eight-figure verdict.

Defense Strategy

Our defense remained consistent for over 8 years of litigation, focusing entirely on physical evidence despite drastically inconsistent testimony from the client's driver. The team's strategy focused exclusively on educating the jury on the elements of negligence and demonstrating that the client was neither negligent nor the cause of the fatal collision. The defense team utilized extensive animations, simulations, and diagrams correlating the movements of all involved vehicles to establish a strong legal argument that the client did not cause the subject collision.

Impact on Final Outcome

The defense achieved a favorable final award of $0, resulting in a complete defense verdict and effectively ending eight years of high-stakes litigation. The successful outcome hinged on the strategic and consistent reliance on physical evidence.

Predicting the Future

This win highlights the importance of trying cases with strong liability defenses, even in the face of significant damages. This result confirms QPWB's ability to achieve favorable outcomes in a volatile venue known for numerous eight-figure verdicts in recent years. This success reinforces the firm’s commitment to strategic, performance-driven litigation.

Key Actions in This Case

• Longevity and Consistency: Defense strategy and scope remained consistent for over eight years of litigation
• Jury Education: Strategy centered on educating the jury on the precise elements of negligence to prove lack of causation

About QPWB

Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. is one of the fastest growing law firms in the United States providing a different focus on what it means to provide responsive service to clients and team members. With a national presence of 55 offices and a comprehensive scope of over 130 practice areas, QPWB delivers legal representation in litigation, regulatory, and corporate matters to a diverse range of industries. This scope and rapid expansion has attracted unique legal talent from all different backgrounds and experiences which has made them the largest minority-owned law firm in the country.