Custy Law Firm Secures $19.3M Verdict In Toe Amputation Case
Porter County jury awards $18.5M to an injured truck driver and $800K to his wife after a crane incident left him with
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Porter County jury awards $18.5M to an injured truck driver and $800K to his wife after a crane incident left him with a toe amputation and CRPS.
VALPARAISO, IN, UNITED STATES, August 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — A Porter County jury has awarded $18.5 million to a truck driver and $800,000 to his wife following a trial over a crane-related workplace injury that led to a toe amputation and a chronic nerve condition, according to the verdict entered in Porter Superior Court 5, Case No. 64D05-2401-CT-000274.
The plaintiffs were represented at trial by Custy Law Firm, a personal injury practice serving clients throughout Indiana and Illinois, and Michael Carter.
According to the complaint and evidence presented at trial, Steel Warehouse changed its method for loading steel plates onto delivery trailers in the summer of 2022, shifting from a layered loading process to lifting entire orders in a single motion with the widest plates at the bottom. Trial testimony indicated this method caused the steel to bow during lifts, and the crane operator testified that he had previously lost a load as a result.
Evidence presented at trial showed that, in response to the operator’s concerns, workers began securing the crane’s lifting equipment with tow chains and lever load binders — equipment not designed for suspending loads. When the binders proved difficult to release, workers began using a metal bar to force them open, a practice testimony described as contrary to standard manufacturer warnings. Witnesses testified the company did not train employees on the revised procedure, conduct a hazard assessment, or have the modified crane configuration recertified before use.
On January 19, 2023, according to trial testimony, a supervisor lost control of the bar while attempting to release a binder on a 42,000-pound load being loaded onto the truck driver’s trailer, striking his left foot. His great toe was later amputated, and he was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a chronic nerve condition that required implantation of a spinal cord stimulator. He has not returned to work as a truck driver.
The jury deliberated approximately two hours before returning its verdict, assigning zero percent fault to the plaintiff. The verdict came after defense counsel argued in closing that the plaintiff was 50 percent at fault and suggested a $3.5 million award.
Additional information about the case is available on Custy Law Firm’s blog article.
About Custy Law Firm
Custy Law Firm is a personal injury practice with offices in Valparaiso and Merrillville, representing clients throughout Indiana and Illinois. Led by trial lawyer Brian Custy, the firm has secured multi-million-dollar results, including a $19.3 million jury verdict for a toe amputation from a workplace crane injury, a $5 million traumatic brain injury settlement, a $3.7 million jury verdict for a 77-year-old who developed dementia following a car wreck, a $2.4 million dollar settlement for a non-surgical spine injury and a $2 million recovery for excessive force by law enforcement. Additional victories include numerous seven-figure verdicts, arbitration awards or settlements involving car crashes, trucking, spinal injury, and wrongful death claims. Custy Law prepares every case for trial, ensuring clients are positioned for maximum compensation, and takes cases on a contingency basis with free consultations.
Past results are not an express or implied prediction of future success, and should not be construed as such. Past results cannot guarantee future performance or case outcome. Any result in a single case is not meant to create an expectation, promise, guarantee or prediction of a similar result in a future case. Each case has many different factors, including different facts and different applications of law. Verdicts may be reduced by comparative fault, contributory negligence or following appeal. Results will always differ on a case-by-case basis.
Brian Custy
Custy Law Firm | Accident & Injury Lawyers
+1 (219) 286-7361
email us here
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