$316,081 Jury Verdict in Uninsured Motorist Case
Case Summary:
Amount: $316,081Court: Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Date: October 2005
Plaintiff's Counsel: Andrew R. Young
Description: Automobile Accident
The plaintiff, a 42 year old man, sued his insurance carrier, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, for failing to honor his claim for uninsured motorist insurance coverage. The plaintiff was traveling with his family on I-71 northbound, when an intoxicated driver struck the plaintiff's car from behind, forcing it into a cement construction barrier, then colliding into it a second time. Initially, the plaintiff believed he simply sustained a wrist sprain from the incident. Later, a lingering back injury persisted until plaintiff sought treatment several months later. In December of 2002, the plaintiff was diagnosed with lumbar nerve root impingement, numbness, and radicular pain. Plaintiff reported his injury to State Farm, then continued with his treatment of physical therapy, lumbar injections, and a home exercise program. State Farm offered only $5,000 to settle plaintiff's claim, on the ground that the treatment he received for his back was unrelated to this incident because he did not report it until months later. The jury disagreed, unanimously finding that both the plaintiff's back and wrist injuries were caused by the May 2002 accident.
