In what's believed to be the largest civil judgment of its kind in Pasquotank County, a jury has awarded $1.1 million to a 65-year-old Elizabeth City man who suffered disabling injuries in a motor vehicle accident two years ago.

Charles Watts, a 40-year employee at the Elizabeth City U.S. Coast Guard Base, won his personal injury lawsuit against Albemarle Home Builders Inc. May 14 after a Superior Court jury found the defendant's negligence caused the July 2, 2005 accident.

According to the lawsuit, Watts, then 63, was leaving the Farm Fresh parking lot on U.S. Highway 17 South aboard his motorcycle when a truck driven by a 16-year-old employee of Albemarle Home Builders left a gas station and, trying to cross the southbound lanes on U.S 17, pulled directly into Watts' path.

In the resulting collision, Watts suffered a compound fracture of his left leg, a crushed right ankle, a fractured hand and left thumb, according to his lawsuit.

Elizabeth City police faulted the driver of the Albemarle Home Builders truck for causing the accident. Watts hired the Elizabeth City law firm of Teague and Glover to file a lawsuit against both the driver and the home construction company.

Danny Glover Jr., one of Watts' attorneys, said his client received treatment several times for his injuries after the wreck. But Watts has been unable to regain the same quality of life he enjoyed prior to the accident.

"This was a true Renaissance man," Glover said. "Charles was a very skilled mechanic, artist, craftsman, archaeologist, classical guitarist and fitness nut. As a result of this wreck and his injuries, Charles can no longer do many of these things."

Glover said the case is unusual, both because of the extent of his client's injuries and because of the dollar amount of the verdict. Combined with pre-judgment interest and costs, Watts' judgment will total about $1.22 million, he said.

"After asking numerous older attorneys in the area, we believe that this verdict may be the highest auto wreck verdict ever in Pasquotank County," Glover said.

He said Watts doesn't want it known what he plans to do with the money.

Mack Nixon, co-owner of Albemarle Home Builders, said Tuesday he's sorry the accident happened, but believes the jury award of $1.1 million was "very excessive."

"We're very sorry the accident happened and (that) it caused damage. But we feel like the claim was excessive ... very excessive," Nixon said. "It hurts a small business because (the insurance company is) going to raise our premiums. Luckily we were well-insured."

Watts could not be reached for comment.

Glover said the jury award will be paid by Albemarle's insurance company, Auto Owners of Michigan.

Glover said Watts returned to work at the Coast Guard Base in January, but is unable to perform many of the delicate tasks associated with his avocations, such as building intricate model ships, painting and drawing.

Prior to the accident, Watts was also "a fitness nut," often competing in 5K and 10K races, Glover said.

"Everything he did in his free time was snatched from him," Glover said.

Glover described the case, presided over by Chief Superior Court Judge Richard Parker, as one of the most satisfying he's ever tried as a personal injury lawyer.

"What makes this stand out is the nature of Charles' losses," Glover said. "Not only were Charles' injuries nearly catastrophic, he had tons of hobbies tossed out through no fault of his own."

(Contact Bob Montgomery at

bmontgomery@coxnc.com)