A Georgia jury awarded $16.2 million to a family in a personal injury lawsuit involving Amazon Logistics and Fly Fella Logistics after a delivery van struck and severely injured a child riding an electric bike. The crash resulted in serious, lifelong injuries, leading to claims of negligence by Amazon for inadequate driver training. The jury found Amazon 55% at fault, holding them primarily responsible, while the driver was 45% responsible. The family argued that Amazon’s control over its contractors’ operations should lead to greater accountability, marking a landmark case on the company’s liability for its partners’ actions.
This verdict is significant because it underscores the legal challenges surrounding Amazon’s role in managing its delivery network. Amazon defended its practices, arguing that the van’s driver acted independently, but the jury’s decision reflects a growing trend of holding major corporations accountable for the actions of third-party contractors. This case sets a precedent that could impact future claims involving corporate oversight of independent contractors, especially within the booming e-commerce and delivery industry.
