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HomeNewsCheatham County Circuit Court hands down largest Civil Award in it's History

Cheatham County Circuit Court hands down largest Civil Award in it’s History

Long & Herbison PLLCAshland City, TN – A First-Ever jury verdict was handed down in a Cheatham County Courtroom, where a jury awarded a local man nearly $2.1 Million dollars for the wrongful death of his son, Christopher Thomas.

The trial of the Estate of Christopher Thomas v. Fadi Mallak was conducted before Judge George Sexton and an impaneled jury. The trial began December 18th, 2012 and lasted a day and a half. Attorney Fletcher Long assisted by Attorney John Herbison represented the Thomas Estate.

On July 11th, 2006, Christopher Thomas was shot in the abdomen outside the Wild Horse Café on Jackson Felts Road in Joelton, Tennessee by the café’s owner, Fadi Mallak. He died that evening.

This case has been pending from its filing in 2007 until ultimately being tried this week. The jury unanimously found in favor of the Estate attributing no fault to the decedent, Christopher Thomas. Furthermore, the jury found Mr. Mallak committed both assault and battery and awarded damages in the amount of $2,085,500.00.

The damages awarded were broken down as follows:

  • $250,000 for mental and physical suffering
  • $10,500 for funeral expenses
  • $1,250,000 for present cash value of life of the deceased
  • $575,000 Loss of Consortium

The multi-million dollar verdict handed down today constitutes the largest jury verdict ever returned in the history of a state trial court in Ashland City, which is part of the twenty-third judicial district.

Attorney Fletcher Long relates, “The Thomases waited a very long time to get this matter into a courtroom in the attempt to finally see some measure of justice done regarding the senseless killing of their twenty-three year old son.”

Christopher’s dad, Ricky Thomas, added “We are relieved and grateful to the jury for giving us closure to this painful ordeal. We also credit our attorneys for making sure my son and my family saw at least some measure of justice done.  Words can’t describe both our joy and relief.”

Prior to this ruling, it is reported the largest amount awarded by a jury sitting in Ashland City was $750,000.

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