Our client was asleep in the sleeping compartment of a semi-tractor when a single vehicle accident occurred.  They were hauling a load of produce from Riverside, California to the Walmart distribution center in Tomah, Wisconsin. The accident happened approximately 1:00 a.m. The semi driver apparently fell asleep and drove down a large embankment causing the accident. The semi tractor-trailer was completely destroyed in the accident.

As a result of the accident, our client suffered serious, permanent injuries.  He shattered his L-1 vertebra and had surgery that involved inserting hardware in his spine.  Several bone fragments were scattered into his spinal cord causing nerve damage. His spinal injury also caused a blood clot in his right leg and loss of sensation in his right leg.  He is unable to move the toes on his left foot and has significant restriction in the use of his left leg. Our client also received pelvic injuries; he has no feeling in his saddle region. He will have to use a catheter for the rest of his life.  He has to walk with the assistance of a walker and has significant nausea and discomfort with any type of physical movement. He also sustained a head injury and had 20 or more staples to the top of his head. 

Cory Whalen successfully settled his claim against the trucking company out of Utah and the truck driver from California.  He and his investigator traveled to North Carolina on many occasions to meet with our clients through the course of this case.  Mr. Whalen made a recovery for our client in the amount of $2,625,000.