Plaintiffs firm Butler Wooten & Peak announced a $5.6 million settlement for two personal injury cases that were nearing a court date in Forsyth County.

“We were very much looking forward to trial, but our clients are pleased with this resolution,” Rob Snyder of Butler Wooten said in a news release. “Defendants' insurers paid all of the remaining policy limits.”

Snyder handled the case with firm founder Jim Butler. Their clients are Kayla Kummala and Madison Fortier, who were injured from a 2015 crash in Cumming. The firm said the women were transported to the hospital in critical condition. One was knocked unconscious and suffered a moderate traumatic brain injury. The other was also knocked unconscious and suffered injuries including the partial amputation of her thumb and multiple facial fractures.

“Ms. Fortier underwent three surgeries and spent two weeks in Grady Hospital, followed by months of physical and occupational therapy,” the release stated.

The defendants are Jeremy Stephens, the other driver, and his employer, Downey Trees. Stephens was driving a Ford F-150 truck.

Counsel to Stephens, Robert Luskin and Elissa Haynes of Goodman McGuffey Lindsey Johnson, and Downey Trees' counsel, Michael Miller, Eric Mull and Eric Retter of Drew Eckl Farnham, could not be reached.

Butler Wooten said Stephens admitted he caused the wreck but disputed the damages. Downey Trees denied all liability, claiming it is not responsible for the actions of its employees and that it was not negligent in hiring Stephens and allowing him to drive Downey Trees' trucks.

The plaintiffs defeated a defense motion for summary judgment, according to Butler Wooten.

The settled lawsuits had been set for trial together this week in Forsyth County State Court. The case numbers are 155C-G846-A and 155C-G845-B.

Among Butler Wooten's other recent case results is a $150 million verdict against Chrysler for an exploding Jeep, reduced to $40 million by the trial judge. That case is pending before the Georgia Supreme Court.