$200,000 Car Accident Settlement

category: Car Accidents

$200,000 Car Accident Settlement

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$200,000 Car Accident Settlement. A 42-year-old woman was injured in a motor vehicle accident when the defendant failed to recognize a traffic stop and crashed into our client’s vehicle. She presented to a local hospital the same day with complaints of neck, right shoulder/arm, and head pain. It was noted that her head struck an object during impact. Radiologic testing was performed and nothing major was noted. The ER physician’s impression was that of cervical and shoulder strains, with a head injury. At a follow-up appointment, physical therapy was recommended. Her therapy focused on her neck, right shoulder, and right arm, but she continued to have ongoing complaints of neck and right shoulder/arm pain. She then was ordered to have MRIs of her cervical spine and right shoulder. The MRI of her neck was relatively normal with minimal degenerative changes and minor findings at her C5/6. The MRI of her right shoulder revealed tendonitis and a possible rotator cuff tear. She then presented to a specialist for treatment. The physical exam elicited 3/3 impingement signs, including positive Speed’s and O’Brien’s testing. He also noted fluid located in the bicep space on her right shoulder MRI. Based on his findings, it was recommended she undergo fluoroscopic guided steroid injections followed by physical therapy. At a specialist follow-up appointment due to continued pain and tenderness, positive Neer and Hawkin’s tests were noted. A biceps labral injury in addition to tendonitis was suspected. An EMG was performed and was positive for neuropathy at the ulnar nerve as well as carpal tunnel. The MRI arthrogram was performed and revealed moderate supraspinatus tendinosis with bursal surface fraying. Fluid was detected in the subacromial/subdeltoid bursa without extension injected contrast into the bursa indicating no full-thickness tear. She then underwent arthroscopic surgery and was later released to full duty work.

Our firm was retained by the client almost 8 months after the incident. By that time, the workers’ compensation claim was denied and all benefits ceased. Due to the cessation of benefits, our client was unable to pay her mortgage for several months and struggled with financial difficulties for a period of time. Our firm vigorously fought the workers’ compensation claim which led to all medical, including surgery and post-operative recovery, as well as temporary wages being paid. We ultimately settled the workers’ compensation claim for $1.00 and a full waiver of an approximate $70,000.00 lien that the workers’ compensation carrier had placed against our client. We then shifted focus to the third-party liability claim against the at-fault driver of the vehicle that was responsible for causing the injuries to our client. The third-party carrier denied that the shoulder surgery was related to the incident and offered approximately $20,000.00 to resolve the matter initially. We filed suit and the third-party carrier eventually settled for the full $100,000.00 policy limits. After the third-party claim was completed, we pursued an underinsured motorist’s claim on behalf of our client and secured an additional $100,000.00 (new money) for our client.