Milford Man Maimed In Crash With Amazon Van Sues For $51.3M

MILFORD, MA — A Milford man who sustained "grievous" injuries in a crash with an Amazon van is suing the Seattle-based company, claiming that the high workload placed on employees caused the collision.

The collision happened near 7 p.m. on Jan. 6 when Joseph Graziano was driving westbound along Route 109 near I-495. A van driver who was heading eastbound — and driving 8 mph over the speed limit. the suit claims — veered into the westbound lane and hit Graziano head-on, the suit says.

Graziano sustained a traumatic brain injury in the crash, and a compound fracture that was so severe, a paramedic cut his arm on a piece of bone.

"As a result of the crash, [Graziano] sustained grievous harm, including but not limited to a compound fracture of his right tibia and fibula and a traumatic brain injury, the deficits from which he suffers to the present. Further, as a result of this incident, [Graziano] has been permanently injured. He has a deformity of his leg, has lost the full use of his leg, and will never be able to engage in the same pursuit of employment, life, or activities as prior to this collision," said the suit, which was filed in Worcester Superior Court last week by Boston attorney Matthieu Parenteau.

A large section of the suit outlines the long hours Amazon delivery drivers work, sometimes as much as 12 hours per day. The driver who hit Graziano was commuting to Milford from Rhode Island.

Parenteau also highlights longstanding problems between Amazon and Milford — including multiple instances when Amazon drivers have been involved in accidents in town.

"The effects of Amazon's operations in Milford are not limited to congestion on the roads and Amazon-emblazoned vehicles strewn about adjoining street corners and parking lots, hindering all others in commuting, running errands, and otherwise going about their daily routines," the suit says.

Amazon operates two warehouses in Milford: The first facility along Industrial Road, and a recently-opened sorting facility along National Road.

Graziano's suit is seeking $51.3 million in damages from Amazon, including $375,000 for his hospital bills, and some $50 million for pain, suffering and loss of future earning capacity.