GMR Partner Jeff Tenthoff defended an octogenarian driver whose negligence in making a left turn in front of the plaintiff caused an accident where all airbags deployed and both cars were significantly damaged. The client had strokes following the accident and was unable to attend the trial, so Jeff had to defend an empty chair.
The plaintiff had a few months of therapy followed by a neurosurgical consultation, after which she was recommended surgery, and her neurosurgeon testified at trial. Plaintiff and her brother, sister, and two sons testified about the devastating effect of the accident on her life. The plaintiff also alleged a wage loss claim of between $600k and $1.3 million.
Jeff successfully cross-examined the plaintiff on a prior car accident she had where she flipped her car with similar injuries and treatment just a few months before the present accident, as well as her Facebook posts about her cooking ribs for her family and attending pop concerts shortly after the accident.
The plaintiff’s demand was always close to $1,000,000, and Jeff made a significant six-figure offer due to the potential lost wage award.
After two days of deliberations, the jury found in Jeff’s client’s favor that the plaintiff did not sustain any injury as they returned a defense verdict as to factual cause.
