Highway accident left worker paralyzed, 'locked in'. Caltrans will pay $37 million

Caltrans will pay $37 million to settle a lawsuit over a construction worker who was paralyzed after a driver struck him eight years ago.

The California Department of Transportation settled with lawyers representing Kyle Anderson, who was 20 at the time of the incident, after the department appealed a Humboldt County Superior Court jury decision two years ago awarding Anderson $57 million, according to a news release from Redding law firm Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel, which represents Anderson.

“This preventable incident irreparably changed the lives of Kyle and his parents, Matt and Robin Anderson,” attorney Russell Reiner said in a news release. “This settlement will help ensure that Kyle will receive the 24/7 medical care he requires.”

Anderson was working for All Phase Excavating on a Caltrans wiring project on Highway 101 in Eureka in 2011. While crouched in a trench about 1 a.m., a driver crossed onto the road shoulder and hit him.

Read more: https://www.fresnobee.com/news/state/california/article232410552.html