Hanna Truck Line Ordered To Pay $750K In Damages To Family Of Deceased Former Employee

FAIRFIELD, AL — A Bessemer Circuit Court judge has ordered an Alabama trucking company to pay out $750,000 in damages to a former driver who was let go from his job after trying to obtain worker's compensation benefits in 2013 following an injury on the job.

Click here to subscribe to our free Tuscaloosa Daily newsletter and breaking news alerts

The court ultimately found Hanna Truck Line violated the Alabama statute protecting workers from harassment for asking for benefits in the case of Kenneth Stewart, who died in 2019 shortly after a court determined he was permanently and totally disabled due to the injuries he suffered while working for Hanna Truck Line.

Hanna Truck Line is a parter of Hanna Steel Corp. at its three steel manufacturing sites in Fairfield, Tuscaloosa and Pekin, Illinois.

In an announcement from Stewart's attorney Gregory Denny on Wednesday, he explained that $250,000 will compensate Stewart's widow, while $500,000 will be a punishment for the company for its actions.

He then said the total award is one of the largest ever issued in Jefferson County for such an action.

“Mr. Stewart was fired after making Hanna aware of his injury and his intent to pursue
his benefits,” Denny said, going on to mentioned that Hanna Truck Line was determined to harass Stewart in hopes of having a chilling effect on him and other employees. “Hanna even went so far as to sue Mr. Stewart and claim they were the real victims in his case. It was clear the suit against Stewart was simply intended to harass Mr. Stewart and his family.”

Denny went on to note that he expects Hanna Truck Lines to appeal the court's decision, despite having never won any significant decision to date.

Stewart’s widow — Catherine Stewart — said she wished her husband could see this day and also had pointed words for Hanna Truck Line President and CEO Pete Hanna.

“Mr. Hanna has his name on the sports facility at Samford University, my husband only has his name on his tombstone in Cullman," she said. "In the end, I know my husband’s determination won out in the end."

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com.