RESULT: $250,000 Personal Injury Settlement, Policy Limits/Maximum Recovery
ATTORNEY: Kevin Sharp
PARALEGAL: Beth C.
WHAT HAPPENED:
In this Norfolk personal injury case, our client was stopped at a stoplight at the intersection of Monticello Ave. and E. Virginia Beach Blvd. in Norfolk, VA, on November 9, 2022. The defendant was not paying attention as he approached the intersection and struck the rear of plaintiff’s vehicle.
Our client was taken to the emergency room due to headaches, neck pain, and back pain. She was initially treated with conservative care, physical therapy, and epidural injections for pain. Her back pain ultimately resolved, but she continued to have neck pain and headaches. Despite continued therapy and injections, her neck pain continued. Ultimately, her physician recommended and performed a C4–7 anterior disc fusion of her neck.
The insurance company for the defendant indicated that the accident was not significant and that the damage to our client’s vehicle was minimal and inconsistent with her injuries. The insurance company also took the position that because our client had served in the U. S. Army, her neck injuries were likely the result of cumulative trauma she sustained from her service. While our client had sustained permanent injuries to her back due to her service, she had no history of neck injuries as a result of her service.
LEGAL STRATEGY:
In all cases handled by our firm, we understand that the insurance companies will attempt to deny or limit the amount of coverage paid to compensate our clients. To that end, we aggressively advance our client’s case by providing medical evidence and expert testimony. In this matter, we presented substantial evidence that her neck injury was the result of the accident, which necessitated the surgery. The insurance company hired an attorney and asserted it would not pay policy limits to resolve the case. The trial was scheduled.
THE RESULT: $250,000.00 Full Policy Settlement
After repeatedly indicating that they would not pay the full policy limits to settle the case, the insurance company ultimately agreed to pay the full policy limit of $250,000.00 as compensation for their client’s negligence.