MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A Wisconsin jury has returned a $15 million civil verdict for the family of a woman struck and killed while riding her bicycle to work, but her parents won’t receive near that amount because of a state law that caps part of the award.
Brian Hodgson was not charged in the crash that killed 23-year-old Emilly Zhu. The civil verdict found Hodgson 100 percent at fault.
Jurors determined Zhu’s parents should receive $10 million for loss of society and companionship and $5 million for pain and suffering. The family’s attorney, Clayton Griessmeyer, says the $10 million award will be automatically reduced to $350,000, which is the cap in Wisconsin. There is no cap for pain and suffering.
Hodgson’s attorney, Ward Richter, told the State Journal by email that they “anticipate further proceedings.”
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This story has been corrected to reflect the victim’s first name is Emilly, not Emily.
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Information from: Wisconsin State Journal, http://www.madison.com/wsj
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