HOW A SMALL TOWN WENT BANKRUPT OVER A POTHOLE
The court ordered Reed Springs to pay Stewart $100,000, over half the city’s annual budget. Despite the high price tag, in normal circumstances, this verdict wouldn’t have forced Reed Springs to declare bankruptcy because the town’s insurance would have covered the bill. Unfortunately, at the time of Stewart’s accident, the mayor of Reed Springs was a corrupt man named Joe Dan Dwyer. Dwyer left office while being investigated for insurance fraud, child pornography, statutory rape, witness bribery, and perjury, and he was later sentenced to seven years in federal prison. Among his many indiscretions, Dwyer also let the town’s insurance policy lapse. Reed Springs didn’t have insurance when Sally Stewart got hurt, which is why they had to write a check out of their own budget and ultimately declare bankruptcy. In this case, what started as a simple pothole accident quickly unveiled the lasting damage of an unscrupulous politician. Perhaps this case serves as reminder about why it’s important to vote in local elections.
In 2002, the quaint town of Reed Springs, Missouri, declared bankruptcy. The hard decision came after the town was forced to pay $100,000 to Sally Stewart, a woman who sued Reed Springs after she tripped over a pothole during a shopping trip. News of a greedy woman ruining a small village to make a quick buck sparked outrage across the country. But Stewart wasn’t the real villain of this story. A little digging into this case reveals a much deeper conspiracy. beneath some overgrown grass on the sidewalk. But this was no small stumble. Stewart tore two ligaments in her ankle and had to undergo surgery. To help pay for the medical bills, Stewart, who’d never sued anyone before, initially filed a personal injury lawsuit against the owners of the store in front of the pothole. However, the Missouri Court of Appeals determined the city of Reed Springs was liable for Stewart’s injuries. Stewart had been visiting Reed Springs in 1998 when she tripped on a pothole hidden
W hat H appened in R eed S prings ?
C hristmas L aw F irm G ives B ack JOIN US IN FIGHTING THE OPIOID CRISIS
Opioid addiction is no doubt one of the biggest struggles the U.S. is facing. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the overuse of opioids in this country has become a full-blown crisis, with more than 130 Americans dying from overdose every day. The problem is so widespread that few of us don’t have a friend or family member whose life has been negatively impacted by opioids, and our team here at Christmas Law is no exception. For years, Christmas Law Founder Gary Christmas has been a member of PILMMA, the Personal Injury Lawyers Marketing & Management Association. Kenneth L. Hardison, a senior partner at Hardison & Cochran and a good friend, created PILMMA. Unfortunately, last year Ken’s son lost his battle with opioid addiction and passed away. To honor his memory and do his part to fight back against the opioid crisis, Ken started a charity called the Lawyers Against Drug Addiction Foundation, and this summer Christmas Law donated $500 to the cause.
We believe it’s important to raise awareness about the fact that it’s not only people going through hard times or with questionable morals who end up reliant on opioids. These highly addictive drugs can hook anyone, from star athletes recovering from sports injuries to the sweet old lady next door. They’re powerful drugs, and addiction to them is one of the hardest things to beat — many people have lost their lives in the attempt, and those still fighting deserve all the help we can offer. Ken has assured us 100% of the $500 we donated to LADAF will go toward making a difference, whether through education, treatment, or raising awareness. None of those funds will go toward administrative costs. If you have the means, please consider joining us in the fight against addiction. You can reach Ken today by calling PILMMA at 843-361-1700.
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