Printable VersionKINGMAN — The father of a Lake Havasu City man who is suing the city provided emotional testimony in Mohave County Superior Court when the jury began phase two of the Ryan Meehan vs. Lake Havasu City trial Monday. Phase two could possibly determine the monetary compensation to be awarded to Meehan and his parents, who care for him daily as a result of his injury.
Mohave County Superior Court Judge James Chavez instructed the jury to bear in mind through the second part of the trial the compensation for Ryan Meehan and his parents would be in relation to the determined percentage of fault.
Plaintiff attorney Charles F. Richards began Monday’s court session with opening statements highlighting the importance of distinguishing the full damages suffered by the Meehan family as a result of Ryan Meehan’s brain injury and continued need for care. Loss of family relationships, loss of past and future medical expenses, a decreased earning potential, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering are included in the list of overall effects Meehan and his parents have endured since the accident.
Richards said medical expenses to date are $626,000. It is estimated, Richards said, Meehan would require an additional $4.6 million for medical expenses in his expected lifetime. Aside from past and future medical expenses, Meehan has lost between $2-3 million in wages in a lifelong career as a commercial airline pilot, an avenue Meehan was training for at the time of the accident, Richards said. He estimated the grand total for Meehan’s economic losses is $7.2–8.2 million.
Richards also questioned if damages are to be reduced by the group’s knowledge of a seat belt not being used on the night in question.
Defense attorney William G. Fairbourn argued that since Meehan failed to wear a seatbelt the night of the accident, it increased the level of his injuries. Meehan was propelled from the vehicle and struck the house with his head. Fairbourn added, statistics show a 99.1 percent chance of minor injuries if not ejected from a vehicle during an accident.
Fairbourn argues there was an available seatbelt in the vehicle Meehan was operating. Also, failure to use the seatbelt was unreasonable just as it was unreasonable for Meehan to be driving while intoxicated and to be driving erratically, Fairbourn argued.
Monday’s court session also included the testimony of Thomas Meehan, Ryan’s father. Thomas Meehan was choked with emotion as Richards displayed photos to the jury of Ryan before the accident. Thomas Meehan’s testimony included detailed education and work history, the toll Ryan’s injury has taken on Thomas Meehan’s family, his job, his marriage and his relationship with Ryan.
“It’s like having a baby you have to raise again,” said Thomas Meehan.
Thomas Meehan described a day with Ryan, as he is Ryan’s primary caregiver. Overwhelmed with emotion, he explained the measures he takes to keep his son safe, to keep Ryan from hurting himself or others.
Thomas Meehan talked of enduring Ryan’s outbursts, impulsiveness, and anger that are characteristic of a person with a traumatic brain injury. He explained how his son’s anger is directed at him. “I have to keep him safe, so I’m the bad guy. I won’t let him do what he wants,” Thomas Meehan said.
The damage phase of the trial will continue this week. Both the plaintiff and the defense are armed with expert witnesses to be called to determine past and future medical expense plans and vocational limitations.
You may contact the reporter at jhanson@havasunews.com.
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