$446,000 Truck Accident Settlement

category: Truck Accidents,Truck Driver Negligence,Workers' Comp Cases

$446,000 Truck Accident Settlement

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$446,000 Truck Accident Settlement. A 61-year-old male was seriously injured in an automobile collision involving a tractor-trailer that struck and landed on top of the car in which the plaintiff was a passenger at an unmarked county intersection. There was severe damage to both vehicles, and all passengers had to be extricated from their vehicles. Plaintiff lost consciousness as a result of the incident and was transported to the nearest emergency room for treatment. Due to the severity of his injuries and blood transfusions required, he was thereafter airlifted to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL. His blood pressure fluctuated in high ranges. St. John’s orthopedic trauma surgeons performed a screw fixation of his right SI joint for pelvic fractures. Plaintiff’s separation of his right SI joint shortened from 10mm prior to surgery to 6mm following surgery. Post-op diagnosis was a right anterior SI joint widening, left superior and inferior comminuted rami fractures, and a left sacral fracture. Additional x-rays confirmed nondisplaced comminuted fractures involving the nasal bones, which healed without surgery. He also suffered a small anterior mediastinal hematoma which measured 19mm in diameter as well as collapsed lungs and comminuted fractures of both the right and second ribs laterally with significant displacement; a fracture of the left fifth rib without displacement; and a non-displaced fracture of the left lateral 7th rib. A CT of the thoracic spine showed a displaced fracture involving the right transverse process of T12 at a rib/vertebrae junction; displaced fractures involving the right transverse processes of L1-L4; and multiple displaced fractures through the right transverse processes of T12 through L5. Upon discharge, he was admitted to the rehabilitation unit at Memorial Hospital in Springfield.

Physical and occupational therapy was ordered for the goal of plaintiff gains with independent bed mobility skills, transfers, household ambulation with an assistive device adhering to weight-bearing restrictions, and the ability to take care of his personal needs. Lovenox for DVT prophylaxis was prescribed due to left leg swelling. An acute inpatient rehabilitation program was required for his medical and rehab needs. After his discharge from the rehabilitation program, he was advised to use a walker for any activity, a shower chair, wheelchair, cushion and a lifer. He was prescribed Norco and Tylenol #3 for pain control. Home health was also provided due to the complexity of his issues. He underwent a lengthy and demanding therapy program for his continual struggles with pain and restricted mobility. He was at first released to go back to work for 6 hours a day for 2 days a week. SI joint injections helped ease the pain in his hip, but he will have to return for yearly doctors’ visits and x-rays related to the screw position. He continues to experience significant limitations and restrictions due to his injuries. His job requires him to move around a lot and this taxes his body.

The personal injury case settled for $446,476.46 after the settlement of an underlying workers’ compensation case from this same incident. With our firm’s efforts, the plaintiff was able to secure all the best medical services required and a significant 6 figure tax-free award after all medical bills and expenses. This case was initially disputed, with the trucking company denying predominant liability, and rather arguing it was the fault of the plaintiff’s driver and even the plaintiff’s own actions/inactions as a front-seat passenger.