Location: Richmond
Verdict: $150,000
The plaintiff was stopped at a red light when he was rear-ended by the defendant. A 30-year-old with no relevant prior medical history, he experienced pain in his neck and shoulder shortly after the accident. When the plaintiff visited the emergency room, he was diagnosed with soft tissue injuries.
When there was no improvement in his health, he returned to the emergency room and received a referral to OrthoVA. For several months, he was treated with physical therapy, medication and injections. Unfortunately, he had to cease treatment for economic reasons. The plaintiff is a cook, and has worked in the restaurant business since he was 16-years-old.
While the defense did claim liability, they contended that the injuries were minimal. They also claimed that he was healed in just 12 weeks, though the plaintiff testified to having ongoing medical complaints. The special damages equaled $28,189.26, and the defense’s pretrial offer was $24,124.89. During the trial, the defendant suggested that $5,000 or $10,000 over special damages would be fair.
The jury deliberated for an hour before delivering the verdict of $150,000 – more than five times the defendant’s pre-trial offer.
