Proven Results from Our Trusted Team

You can trust the experience, knowledge, and empathetic approach of Frank Penney Injury Lawyers. Review our personal injury case results from various areas of practice below.

Federal Court Verdict in Michaud, et al. v. United States of America: $10.5 Million Award for Our Clients

Michaud, Namagembe and Kataregga v. United States of America

Esther Nakajjigo was raised in Uganda by an unwed teenage mother in a two-room home with a dirt floor. From these humble beginnings, she became a spokesperson for women and girls as a teenager, and at the age of 17, she started and operated her own hospital. The next year, she became Uganda’s first Ambassador for Women and Girls. Esther then created the most successful reality television show in Uganda by turning the camera’s focus on the plight of unwed mothers. The television series empowered women throughout the country and led to improved gender equality in Uganda. Esther came to the United States to attend a leadership program for humanitarian entrepreneurs.

She was just 25 years old when she was tragically killed while exiting Arches National Park in Utah when an unsecured swing arm gate swung into traffic, pierced through the passenger side of the car, and decapitated her. Her newlywed husband, who was driving the car and sitting inches away from his wife, was covered with her blood and body parts. Esther’s husband and parents alleged that the United States Park Service was negligent in maintaining and operating the park’s swing gates, leading to Esther’s death.

The United States admitted fault, and the trial in federal court proceeded on the issue of damages. The trial was followed closely by Esther’s fans in Uganda, and Ugandan news outlets observed that the American system of justice was “on trial” before the worldwide stage. The result was the largest wrongful death verdict issued by a federal judge in Utah history - $10.5 Million Dollars. As a result of this case, all parks in the United States Park systems now have secured posts/locking mechanisms on swing gates.

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