Vermont woman wins $43 million jury verdict

A 51-year-old Vermont woman has been awarded $43.1 million in a jury verdict against the manufacturer of a car seat that allegedly collapsed during a 2007 car accident, leaving her a paraplegic. It is believed to be the largest civil verdict in state court in Vermont history. Dzemila Heco of Essex Junction was injured Aug. 4, 2007, when the car she was driving was rear-ended. Heco’s lawyers argued that the car seat back collapsed, causing severe spinal-cord injuries. Heco was wearing a seat belt.