Syracuse Injury Lawyer Blog
On Wednesday, September 26, 2007, a local jury unanimously awarded the victims of a violent motorcycle collision $3,418,405.60 in damages. The injured plaintiffs were represented by Anthony S. Bottar and Michael A. Bottar.
On June 4, 2004, the plaintiffs, Stephen D. Salisbury, Jr. and Christine K. Dannible, were on a motorcycle driven by Mr. Salisbury. While stopped at a red traffic light, an automobile operated by defendant, Jonelle Christian and owned by defendant, Central National Bank (leased to defendant, Anthony Christian) rear-ended the motorcycle. The violent collision threw the plaintiffs from the motorcycle, causing Mr. Salisbury to suffer a compound tibia fracture requiring surgical correction, and causing Ms. Dannible to suffer a “mild” traumatic brain injury.
At trial, the defendants did not dispute that the collision caused Mr. Salisbury’s broken tibia, but contended that there was no radiological or diagnostic evidence that Ms. Dannible suffered a brain injury.
Mr. Salisbury called his treating orthopedic surgeon. Ms. Dannible called her treating neurosurgeon, psychologist and concussion management program director, internist, nurse practitioner and physical therapist who unanimously opined that she suffered a mild traumatic brain injury in the collision, and is and will continue to suffer from the effects of post-concussive syndrome. Defendants called a neurologist and neuropsychologist who, on cross-examination, conceded that Ms. Dannible suffered a mild brain injury in the collision.
The case went to the jury after eight days of trial. After deliberating for three hours, the jury awarded Mr. Salisbury $12,061.24 for past medical expenses and $150,000.00 for past pain and suffering. The jury awarded Ms. Dannible $34,098.36 for past medical expenses, $122,246.00 for past loss of earnings, and $300,000.00 for past pain and suffering, as well as $1,000.000.00 for future medical and rehabilitation expenses (including medication), $800,000.00 for future loss of earnings, and $1,000,000.00 for future pain and suffering. Plaintiffs are entitled to statutory interest, increasing the total verdict to more thabn $4,000,000.00.
The trial lawyers at Bottar Law, PLLC, have decades of experience investigating, prosecuting and trying to verdict all types of brain injury cases, including traumatic brain injuries (mild, moderate and severe), brain damage, concussions, post-concussion symdrome and related adjustment disorders. If your or a loved one have been diagnosed with a brain injury, you and/or your family may be entitled to compensation for lifelong health care, special education, rehabilitation, medical expenses, medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering.
To discuss your case or concerns with an experienced Central New York brain injury attorney, contact Bottar Law, PLLC now at (315) 422-3466, (800) 336-LAWS, or by e-mail at info@bottarleone.com.