Jury Awards $37.5 million to DBB&H Client


KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Steve Holdeman, an Orrick, Missouri, resident, was awarded $37.5 million by a Jackson Country jury for severe injuries sustained in a passenger vehicle and tractor-trailer crash that occurred off I-435 and Winner Road Feb. 13, 2014.  

“Nobody ever expects an accident of this magnitude to happen to themselves or someone they love,” said Tim Dollar, Holdeman’s attorney and a partner at Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe. “We are pleased with the jury’s verdict and know this will greatly assist Steve and his family with his ongoing medical care.”  

Holdeman, who led a very active life filled with deep-wilderness camping, hiking and motorcycling prior to the crash, retained Dollar, Burns & Becker, Kansas City attorneys specializing in bad faith and truck crashes, to bring suit against two individuals: the driver of a passenger vehicle, Philip Stratman of Olathe, Kansas, and the driver of an 18-wheeler and motor carrier. 

Stratman shifted his vehicle from drive to neutral while on I-435 to coast as a means to save fuel and wear and tear on the car’s brakes when his vehicle stalled in the center lane of the highway. Holdeman came upon the stalled vehicle, slowed and was then struck from behind by the 18-wheeler, rendering him paraplegic. 

The case went to trial at the 16th Circuit Court in Jackson County earlier this fall. The jury assessed 99 percent fault against Stratman and awarded Holdeman $37.5 million in damages. 

Tim Dollar can be reached at 816-876-2600 if you have specific questions.