The following are recent settlements received for our clients:

MOTOR VEHICLE NEGLIGENCE

Rear-End Collision - Back Injury - Injuries alleged:

Lower back strain, nerve root impingement of spine

$27,306 (medical expenses); $26,086(lost wages)

Amount of Settlement:

$553,326.00

The plaintiff - then a 26-year-old married mother of two minor children - was rear-ended in her vehicle by the defendant's vehicle while stopped at an intersection in Lancaster. The defendant was driving a truck in the course of his employment for defendant employer. The plaintiff was transported via ambulance to the emergency room.

Initially, treatment focused on a lower back strain. The plaintiff was referred to her first course of physical therapy. A MRI revealed disc bulging at L4-5 and L3-4. The plaintiff was treated by an orthopedic surgeon who recommended microsurgery/disentomb on L4-5. Surgery was performed. The post-operative recovery was allegedly not good. The plaintiff developed concentrated and consistent pain in the low back into her buttock and right leg. The plaintiff underwent a second series of physical therapy and received coati/steroid injections. A second MRI revealed post-operative enhancing reactive tissue (scar issue) at the laminectomy site.

The plaintiff underwent a third course of physical therapy and was treated by physiatrists over the next two years. She did not respond well to therapeutic modalities, including ongoing steroid nerve root injections and physical therapy. She reportedly developed pain while sitting, standing and walking.

The plaintiff's expert opined a 10 percent whole person impairment and a casual relationship to the motor vehicle accident. The defendant's experts opined a partial disability with restrictions.

The plaintiff reportedly had an episode where she fell at her home. A MRI revealed an additional disc bulge at L5-51. The defendant opined this as a new injury and the plaintiff argued her weakened condition contributed to her fall. The plaintiff continued to treat with prescribed narcotics to address her constant pain.

At the time of the motor vehicle accident, the plaintiff worked as a medical records clerk for an HMO. Immediately following the motor vehicle accident, she was out of work for six months. She attempted to return to work and reduced her hours over the next two to three years but was never able to tolerate full-time employment. Upon the advice of her treating physician, she went out of work permanently.

The case was mediated two weeks prior to trial and settled once week later. A portion of the settlement proceeds was placed in an annuity for the minor children's college fund.

Highway Collision - Auto vs. Parked Car  - Settled for $50,000.00 

Our client was traveling at night on a two lane highway when he struck a vehicle that was parked and abandoned in the right travel lane. The vehicle was parked without hazard lights turned on to alert oncoming traffic. Emergency services were called and our client was rushed to the hospital emergency room via ambulance. Our client suffered a head injury, concussion and facial cuts, bruises and lacerations which resulted in two small facial scars. The full insurance policy limits were obtained from the insurer of the abandoned car while our client also was compensated from the underinsured coverage of his own insurance policy. These claims were settled out of court.

Pharmacy Error - Chain Fills Wrong Prescription - Settled for $40,000.00

Our client was given a written prescription for high blood pressure by his primary care doctor. He presented the written prescription to a local branch of a national pharmacy chain. Unfortunately, the script was incorrectly filled with another medication that had similar spelling. The pharmacy continued to incorrectly refill this prescription over the course of the next five months. The error was eventually discovered by the treating physician when he called the pharmacy to renew the prescription. Our client's blood pressure fortunately was not affected, however, he experienced side effects from the wrong medication that were interpreted as symptoms of unrelated illnesses and disease. As a result, he experienced significant distress and consequently underwent several unnecessary expensive and invasive diagnostic studies. Additionally, he went without treatment for his high blood pressure which put him at a significant health risk. Monetary settlement was negotiated out of court.  

Wrongful Death - Mother and Unborn Child vs. Motor Vehicle Accident  - Settled for the Full Insurance Policy Limits

Our client, a 22 year old pregnant woman, was a passenger in a motor vehicle that was traveling on a rainy evening. Their vehicle was struck "head on" by the operator of a van. The impact of the accident was so serious that the young mother and her unborn child were killed instantly. Our clients were the estates of the young mother and her unborn child. Monetary settlement was negotiated out of court and the full policy limits were obtained for both estates.

Rear End Collision - Struck From Behind While Stopped at a Red Light - Settled for the Full Insurance Policy Limits

Young woman was driving her vehicle and stopped at a red light. Before the light turned green, she was struck from behind (rear-ended) by another driver. She sustained a neck injury or a cervical strain and a hip injury or strain (soft tissue). An MRI revealed she had bulging discs (in her neck or cervical area) at two locations. Her physician did not feel that the disc problems were causing her pain. She treated with physical therapy for about twelve weeks. She lost time from work and had significant lost wages. Monetary settlement was negotiated out of court.