Nelson v. TMT Development Co., et al.

Summary

Plaintiff Kari Nelson sues former security guard Logan Gimbel, as well as TMT Development and Cornerstone Security Group, for the death of her husband, Freddy Nelson Jr. Ms. Nelson claims that Gimbel needlessly escalated a confrontation between the two. This confrontation ended in Gimbel shooting Mr. Nelson through a truck windshield while Mr. Nelson was leaving. Ms. Nelson alleges that Cornerstone provided inadequate training to its guards and that TMT Development possessed an overly aggressive “zero tolerance policy” for trespassers, which encouraged guards to use more force than necessary.

Defendant TMT Development blames the shooting on Gimbel and Cornerstone’s inadequate training, claiming that they hired Cornerstone due to Cornerstone’s positive local reputation combined with the property’s frequent issues with shoplifters.

Defendant Cornerstone highlights Gimbel’s clean background check and TMT’s “zero tolerance policy” that guards were instructed to follow, which conflicts with Oregon laws that require guards to use appropriate de-escalation methods whenever possible.

Outcome

Verdict for plaintiff.

Total damages: $21.25 million.
Including $20 million in compensatory damages and $1.25 million in punitive damages.