Kansas Judge Allows Punitive-Damages Claim Against USA Truck
U.S. Magistrate Judge Angel D. Mitchell granted part of a motion by Liliya Lendel and the Estate of Yuriy Lendel to amend their wrongful-death complaint against USA Truck, Inc., USA Truck, LLC, and driver Darrien L. Williams. The suit stems from a 2023 collision between Yuriy Lendel's tractor-trailer and one owned by USA Truck.
Plaintiffs missed the August 2025 deadline to amend pleadings but argued good cause existed because USA Truck did not turn over coaching notes and internal safety materials about Williams's prior violations until December 2025 and January 2026. The court agreed as to USA Truck, finding the carrier was responsible for the delay and that plaintiffs had alleged enough under Kansas law to support a plausible punitive-damages claim tied to USA Truck's knowledge of Williams's safety record.
The court denied the same claim against Williams, holding plaintiffs already had the facts and opportunity to seek it during his August 2025 deposition. Plaintiffs need not file a new complaint; the pending pretrial order will incorporate the ruling and supersede the pleadings once entered.
What's next
- Pretrial order expected in December 2026.
- Pretrial motions expected to follow in early 2027.
All sources
- Opinion: Lendel et al v. USA Truck, Inc. et al — Federal court opinion (U.S. District Court District of Kansas), 2026-10-28
