Jury Awards Couple $20 Million for Tractor-Trailer Wreck

A couple has been awarded $20 million by a jury after the man was left with permanent brain damage and other injuries when his vehicle was hit by a tractor-trailer.

Background on the Case

The incident occurred in 2013 when the driver of the tractor-trailer ran a red traffic signal and plowed into the victim’s car.

As a result of the collision, the victim – who was 57 at the time – suffered permanent brain damage and other orthopedic injuries.

Lawyers Argue Over Life Expectancy

During opening statements to the jury, the victim’s lawyer stated point blank that the case “was worth $25 million,” and then went about showing exactly how he arrived at that figure.

“It was the first time I had ever done that in opening statements,” he said. “We focused on past and future medical expenses, as well as lost wages and pain and suffering.”

In challenging the amount sought, the defense’s sole claim was that the victim’s life expectancy should be reduced – because of the very injuries he suffered!

Costs of Treating Someone With Brain Injury

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tell us that the lifetime costs of a patient’s treatment for a brain injury run from an average of $941,000 for moderate injuries and well into the millions for severe brain injuries.

By the time the above victim’s case went to trial, his medical bills had already approached $700,000. Conservative estimates for his future medical expenses were $3.8 million.

Issues that drive the cost of treatment skyward include:

  • Post-injury scans, surgery and acute care
  • Fees for specialists such as neurologists, rehabilitative therapists, etc.
  • Durable specialized medical equipment like wheelchairs, braces and other devices
  • Fees for psychological evaluations and therapy

Let Barber & Associates Fight For Your Rights

Our hearts certainly go out to the victim in the case above and his family. The level of care he needs does not come cheaply, and because his injuries are the result of someone else’s negligence, the jury’s decision was certainly a fair one.

Because brain injuries can be life-changing events, victims need a champion fighting on their behalf.

Here at Barber & Associates, we’ve earned a strong reputation in making sure victims of other people’s carelessness obtain proper compensation.

If you’ve been injured, call us for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7. You can reach us at 907-276-5858 or by via email.

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