Largest Reported NJ Personal Injury Settlement during the Court’s 2022-2023 term

Failure to Stop at Stop Sign Leads to Serious Injury – $500,000 Settlement

In Bernards Township, New Jersey, an elderly woman suffered serious injuries when another driver ran a stop sign, causing the woman’s car to roll over and veer into a nearby tree. Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. Partner Paul A. Garfield filed suit in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Somerset County, proved that the other driver was negligent in his failure to drive safely, and won our client a $500,000 settlement. The defendant was also charged and found guilty of Careless Driving.

 

The woman was transported by ambulance from the scene of the accident at the intersection of Mounty Air Road and Goltra Drive to Morristown Memorial Hospital. She suffered left hip derangement, bulging discs in her lumbar and thoracic spine, and cervical whiplash. She underwent a total hip arthroplasty, a laminectomy and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), and months of physical therapy. Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. hired medical experts to write narrative reports proving the permanent nature of our client’s injuries. Their reports helped show our client’s entitlement to financial compensation for her loss in income, medical bills, and pain and suffering.

 

Settlements are often limited by the total available insurance coverage. Insurance company adjusters and their lawyers often defend cases by claiming that a client was negligent and could have avoided being injured by arguing comparative negligence on the part of an injured client; or that their pain and suffering was caused by pre-existing medical conditions or prior injuries. Despite those defenses, the Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, PC lawyers won their client’s injury claim. Each client’s case is unique. Results may differ because of different facts, circumstances and available insurance coverage.

 

Call us now for a free and confidential case evaluation. We are also available 24/7 online at our website, www.dsslaw.com.  

 

Medical Glossary

Bulging Disc: A bulging disc occurs when the soft cushions between the bones in the spine (intervertebral discs) push outward, causing pain and discomfort. The bulging disc may press on nearby nerves and result in back pain or numbness.

Cervical Whiplash: Cervical whiplash is an injury to the neck that happens when the head is suddenly jerked forward and then backward, like in a car accident. This abrupt movement can strain or damage the neck muscles, ligaments, or discs, leading to pain and stiffness.

Hip Derangement: Hip derangement refers to various problems or issues in the hip joint that cause pain, instability, or limited mobility. It can be due to different conditions, such as hip joint dislocation or cartilage damage.

Laminectomy: Laminectomy is a surgical procedure in which a part of the bone called the lamina, which covers the spinal canal, is removed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. It is often done to treat conditions like spinal stenosis or herniated discs.

Lumbar Spine: The lumbar spine is the lower part of the spine, consisting of five vertebrae, which support the upper body and allow for bending and twisting movements.

Thoracic Spine: The thoracic spine refers to the middle part of the spine, consisting of twelve vertebrae, which connect to the ribcage and help protect the organs in the chest.

Total Hip Arthroplasty: Total hip arthroplasty, also known as hip replacement surgery, is a procedure in which a damaged or painful hip joint is replaced with an artificial joint (prosthesis) made of metal, plastic, or ceramic components. It is done to improve hip function and reduce pain in conditions like osteoarthritis or hip fractures.

Transforaminal Lumbar Tnterbody Fusion (TLIF): TLIF is a type of spinal fusion surgery where a damaged disc in the lumbar spine is removed, and the adjacent vertebrae are fused together using bone grafts and screws. This procedure aims to stabilize the spine and alleviate pain caused by conditions like degenerative disc disease or spondylolisthesis.