Indiana Supreme Court Allows Truckers’ Lawsuit Against Amazon to Proceed

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indiana Supreme Court has allowed a lawsuit against Amazon to move forward after a lower court had dismissed the case. The lawsuit involves two truck drivers who suffered devastating incidents while trying to deliver loads at an Amazon warehouse in Hancock County.

According to court documents, both drivers faced confusion due to a lack of signage directing them to the facility. As a result, they parked in a turn lane and attempted to walk to the warehouse for assistance.

The first incident occurred on September 2, 2022, when driver Mahari Oukbu was struck by a car while crossing 300 North. His attorney, Brandon Yosha, reported that Oukbu was thrown approximately 30 feet and sustained severe injuries, leaving him unable to return to work nearly three years later.

“Still to this day he does not work,” Yosha said. “He cannot work. He cannot drive a truck. His wife is still taking care of him.”

Just weeks later, on October 20, 2022, truck driver Harvail Dhillon was tragically killed after being hit by a fuel tanker while trying to obtain directions. Yosha described the aftermath, stating that Dhillon died at the scene, leaving a horrific scene behind.

After Dhillon’s death, Amazon put up signs the following day to assist truck drivers. “Amazon did nothing to make their conditions on their premises safer and more clear for these truck drivers as to where they needed to enter,” Yosha added.

The case previously faced dismissal when a Hamilton County judge ruled that the accidents did not occur on Amazon’s property, and therefore, the company could not be liable. However, the Indiana Court of Appeals later reversed that decision, allowing the case to proceed.

Chief Judge Robert Altice noted that property owners may have a duty to correct conditions that could lead to foreseeable injuries even if those incidents occur off their premises.

After the Supreme Court declined to hear Amazon’s appeal on April 30, Yosha expressed determination. “We have two individuals that were simple folks, and they’re going up against the biggest corporation in the world,” he stated. The case will return to Hamilton County for further legal actions where Yosha expects to uncover more incidents involving injured truck drivers.

As of now, FOX59/CBS4 has reached out to Amazon for comment regarding the court’s ruling but has yet to receive a response.