Tracy Morgan sues Walmart, But Can He Really Get Money?
Funny man Tracy Morgan knows when to put the jokes aside and when to take care of business. Thursday he filed a complaint with the District court to receive compensation for his injuries which for the first time, we get a detailed list of.
Although it was speculated that Tracy might lose a leg, he actually suffered from broken ribs, a broken nose, and a broken leg. As we all know comedian James McNair (Jimmy Mack) was killed and comedian Ardley Fuqua was also seriously injured during the crash.
In the official complaint filed it states that
“The defendants’ negligence was a substantial contributing factor in causing plaintiffs’ injuries,”
WAS THE DRIVER, KEVIN ROPER REALLY AWAKE FOR 24 HOURS?
Nope! That was all gossip site fodder. The truck was driving 20 mph over the speed limit and Roper was near his drive time limit, not actually past it, like others have previously claimed. Of course Roper never admitted to driving over the speed limit but an investigation by federal transportation and safety experts concluded that the truck was traveling in excess of 65 mph in the 45 mph construction area.
There is a 14 hour work limit for truck drivers with a max of 11 hours behind the wheel. Roper had been into his 13th and a half hour of working. He was on his way to Perth Amboy, NJ and would have been very close and most likely over the limit before he reached is final destination.
Here is what the van looked like after the accident! Looks like an extra from the Godzilla movie!
CAN HE REALLY SUE WAL-MART, WHAT DID THEY DO?
Believe it or not, he probably can. His legal team and Wal-marts attorneys will clash and a group of possible defendants will be pooled and liability will be decided. If there is any indication that Wal-mart has a history of pressuring their drivers to deliver under extreme circumstances then this will show some liability. I think Wal-mart will end up quickly settling even if there is the hint of culpability. They pride themselves in being the “people’s store, and any protest, boycott or demonstration can easily cost them millions in revenue.
Wal-mart knows how important public perception is and was quick to release a well written, carefully worded statement,
Our thoughts continue to go out to them, their families and friends, as well as to the families and friends of everyone involved, including Mr. McNair who lost his life,”
“We are deeply sorry that one of our trucks was involved. As we’ve said, we’re cooperating fully in the ongoing investigation. We know it will take some time to resolve all of the remaining issues as a result of the accident, but we’re committed to doing the right thing for all involved.”
Tracy can easily show millions lost in potential during his recovery, he can also try and receive compensation for roles that he can prove he was going to read for and might not even have been chosen for.
For those who think he doesn’t need the money, it’s all relative. Although he is worth $18 million, he’s no longer getting those $70,000 per episode 30 Rock Checks. In fact, the show went from 22 episodes in 2012, to just 13 in 2013 – that’s like taking a 50% pay cut. At the end of the day Tracy was just minding his own business and now he is out of work, and his friend lost his life.
As for the Driver, Kevin Roper; although he plead not guilty to criminal charges that include vehicular homicide and assault by auto, he is guilty of driving a big-ass truck too fast and not paying attention. Let’s hope he wasn’t texting!!
UPDATED – PHOTO OF TRACY MORGAN IN WHEEL CHAIR RECOVERING!
