Catastrophic Injury Verdict

The Case

A 35-year-old construction supervisor suffered catastrophic spinal injuries when a fully loaded tractor-trailer rear-ended his vehicle on I-85 near Suwanee, Georgia. The collision occurred during heavy morning traffic when our client was stopped in a line of vehicles. The truck driver failed to brake in time, slamming into the rear of our client's SUV at approximately 45 miles per hour. Our client sustained multiple herniated discs, a fractured vertebra, and severe nerve damage that required two surgeries and left him with permanent partial paralysis of his lower extremities.

The Challenge

The trucking company's defense team argued that our client had a pre-existing degenerative disc condition that was responsible for much of his ongoing pain and disability. They retained medical experts who testified that the spinal surgeries would have been necessary regardless of the accident. Additionally, the defense challenged our client's claim for lost future earnings, arguing that his career in construction was physically demanding and that he would have experienced age-related decline regardless. We needed to overcome these arguments with compelling medical evidence and expert economic testimony.

The Result

Our team retained leading orthopedic surgeons and neurologists who provided detailed testimony distinguishing the pre-existing condition from the acute traumatic injuries caused by the accident. A life care planner documented the extensive future medical needs, including ongoing physical therapy, pain management, and potential additional surgeries. Our vocational rehabilitation expert demonstrated the significant loss of earning capacity. After a five-day jury trial in Gwinnett County Superior Court, the jury returned a verdict of $2.87 million, including compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.