The Charleston-based personal injury law firm of Yarborough Applegate, having secured the nation’s first-ever jury verdict holding Amazon liable for delivery driver negligence, is now leading national efforts to enforce that precedent. The firm is actively pursuing multi-state litigation against the e-commerce giant for catastrophic harm caused by its massive Delivery Service Partner (DSP) fleet, a public safety risk amplified by the billions of packages delivered during the peak holiday season.
In December 2023, the firm secured a landmark $44.6 million verdict in the South Carolina case of Shannon Shaw v. Amazon.com Inc. This victory successfully dismantled Amazon's long-standing defense that its drivers are purely “independent contractors” and set the national legal standard that Amazon's overwhelming control over its drivers makes the company vicariously liable.
“When we went to trial for this case here in South Carolina, we were committed first and foremost to getting justice for the victim, Shannon Shaw. But we knew it was also an opportunity to expose Amazon’s dangerous business practices nationwide—and pressure the company to make a change," said David Yarborough, Partner at Yarborough Applegate. “That verdict proved what we always knew: Amazon micromanages nearly every aspect of the delivery process. They monitor driver speed, route, and even behavior via required in-van technology. They cannot claim ignorance when that data clearly shows a driver is distracted or dangerous.”
Holding Amazon Accountable Nationwide
Still the national leader in this unique area of complex litigation, Yarborough Applegate is leveraging the Shaw blueprint in jurisdictions across the United States. Active cases demonstrate a pattern of alleged negligence and catastrophic outcomes that the firm is working to address:
- Wrongful Death in Washington: Representing the family of Delia Menera, a grandmother who was killed in a marked crosswalk in Longview, Washington, by an Amazon delivery driver who allegedly admitted to using a THC vape prior to the collision. The lawsuit is currently pending in King County, Washington. (Case No.: 25-2-13547-1 SEA)
- Wrongful Death in Ohio: Representing the family of Lee Andrew “AJ” Watson, Jr., who was killed in a motorcycle collision involving an Amazon delivery driver in Montgomery County, Ohio, who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of operating a motor vehicle under the influence. (CASE NO.: 2024 CV 05871)
- Wrongful Death in South Carolina: Representing the widow of Bobby Peake, who was killed when an Amazon Delivery Driver turned left directly into the path of the vehicle in which Peake was riding as a passenger. (C/A No. 2025-CP-44-00385)
“These are not isolated incidents; they are the foreseeable consequences of a corporate culture that prioritizes delivery speed over public safety,” said Alex Heaton, attorney at Yarborough Applegate. “We’re here to ensure that innocent victims harmed by Amazon's delivery system have a pathway to justice.”
A Crucial Warning During Peak Delivery Season
The volume of Amazon deliveries surges exponentially during the holiday season, placing unprecedented pressure on DSP drivers and dramatically increasing the risk to pedestrians and motorists. Yarborough Applegate’s active litigation ensures that Amazon faces consequences for its alleged negligence, sending a clear message that the multi-billion dollar corporation must commit to more rigorous driver vetting, training, and supervision.
“The public relies on Amazon for their holiday deliveries, but they also have a right to safe roads,” said Brandt Horton, attorney at Yarborough Applegate. “We will continue to lead these cases, from South Carolina all the way across the country, until Amazon prioritizes the safety of the communities it serves.”
About Yarborough Applegate
Yarborough Applegate is a leading South Carolina personal injury law firm dedicated to representing victims of catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. Recognized for securing the first jury verdict in the nation to hold Amazon vicariously liable for its DSP drivers, the firm has established itself as the national standard-bearer in this unique area of litigation.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251218653683/en/
Contacts
Media Contact:
Emily McGannon
emily@yarboroughapplegate.com
843-972-0150
yarboroughapplegate.com