Freeman Achieves Favorable Verdict in Jury Trial

This lawsuit arose out of a motor vehicle accident in Mobile, Alabama. The plaintiff suffered head and neck injuries and received continued treatment for a traumatic brain injury after being rear-ended by a vehicle traveling approximately 45 mph. The case proceeded to a jury trial with the tortfeasor and the underinsured carrier named as defendants.

At trial, the plaintiff presented multiple lay witnesses as well as expert testimony, including an orthopedic surgeon and psychiatrist, to support her claims of a serious neck injury, traumatic brain injury, and associated symptoms. The plaintiff asserted that these injuries would require lifelong treatment and significantly impact her quality of life. While the defendants did not concede liability, the focus of defendant’s case was to dispute the cause and/or extent of the claimed injuries, and particularly the traumatic brain injury claimed by the plaintiff.

At the end of the trial, the plaintiff requested a jury award of $1.2 million. In contrast, the defendants suggested a significantly lower award of $15,000 or $20,000 based on the actual medical evidence and testimony presented during the week-long trial. The jury ultimately returned a verdict for the plaintiff in the amount of $15,000 – a figure well within the tortfeasor’s liability limits.  This outcome represents a substantial success for the defense.