By Lawrence Buser
A Memphis woman injured in a 2005 one-vehicle accident has been awarded $2.5 million in damages in her lawsuit alleging a brake company did faulty repair work.
Elissa Powell, then 36, was seriously injured when her 2000 Ford Explorer flipped several times after she hit her brakes while traveling westbound on I-40 near Exit 35 in Fayette County, according to the Circuit Court suit brought by attorneys Ben Daniel of Memphis and Bobby McDaniel of Jonesboro.
Daniel said the faulty repair work caused the brake on the right front tire to lock up, resulting in the rollover and causing crushing leg injuries to Powell.
Value Brakes, a Memphis business owned by Best Brakes of Tennessee, Inc., admitted fault, but disputed the extent of her injuries and the amount of damages.
The company has 30 days to appeal.
Jurors deliberated about five hours after the week-long trial and returned the verdict Friday afternoon.