It was a wet, dreary day when GMR Partner Jeff Tenthoff’s teenage driver rear-ended Plaintiff’s vehicle as it was at a stop in traffic, pushing it into the car in front of her. Jeff stipulated to liability for the happening of the accident, so all that was at issue was Plaintiff’s injuries in the Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, jury trial. Jeff’s client’s vehicle’s front end was destroyed and declared a total loss, while there was moderate rear-end damage to Plaintiff’s vehicle with its rear bumper knocked completely off. There was modest damage between Plaintiff’s vehicle and the vehicle in front of her.
Plaintiff claimed to be in shock at the scene and eventually underwent over 9 months of chiropractic treatment and three months of physical therapy. Cervical MRIs were positive for protrusions, while the shoulder MRI showed evidence of a rotator cuff tear. Plaintiff underwent a cortisone injection to her shoulder and a cervical epidural steroid injection. Plaintiff alleged ongoing shoulder pain that forced her to stop working.
Despite the significant property damage and Plaintiff’s alleged ongoing pain and limitations, the jury found that Plaintiff was not injured and returned a verdict on factual cause.
