A jury in Virginia said Thursday a former lawyer who was accused of talking on her cell phone when she struck and killed a teenager while driving her Mercedes must pay $2 million, the Washington Post reports.
The jury ordered Jane Wagner to compensate the family of Naeun Yoon after a
judge found Wagner liable for the teenager's death. The lawsuit included allegations
that Wagner was talking on her cell phone with a client when she struck the
teenager with her car in 2000.
Cooley Godward LLP, which was named as a defendant and was Wagner's employer
at the time of the incident, had already settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed
amount, the attorney for Yoon's father tells the newspaper.
Wagner has served one year in jail after pleading guilty to leaving the scene
of an accident. After the conviction, she forfeited her license to practice
law, according to the newspaper.
A number of lawsuits have targeted employers whose employees have been accused
of being involved in car accidents while making business-related calls, the
newspaper notes.
While no federal law prohibits the use of cell phones while driving, some states
and municipalities have passed legislation to ban handheld mobile phone use
while driving.
In addition, some companies, such has ExxonMobil, have barred employees from using handheld devices
while driving on company business.
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