Vehicle Accident - Pedestrian Knockdown
WRSMH obtained a $1.925 million settlement during trial on behalf of a 55-year-old male client who was struck by the defendants’ van and knocked to the ground as he stood in the street. His injuries included torn cartilage in his right knee requiring arthroscopic surgery, as well as cervical and lumbar herniations, which required surgical fusions. The plaintiff was previously granted partial summary judgment on the issue of liability against the defendants and the trial commenced on the issue of damages only. Our client testified that he was seriously and severely injured when the defendants’ delivery driver unexpectedly accelerated his van, striking him in the chest and knocking him to the ground. The defendants denied that the accident caused the claimed injuries and maintained that they pre-existed the accident given the degenerative condition of the plaintiff’s spine and knee. We introduced the testimony of medical experts and medical records proving that our client’s injuries were a direct result of this incident, which was compounded by the fact that he had no prior symptoms or treatment. Given the possible exposure the defendants faced, they opted to settle the case.