Mother of Three Rear-Ended on Pulaski Skyway—$910,000 Settlement

While driving along the Pulaski Skyway in Kearny, New Jersey, a mother of three stopped in traffic and was rear-ended. She hired Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. partner Samuel L. Davis to represent her and file a personal injury lawsuit on her behalf. After attorney Samuel L. Davis proved that the driver who rear-ended her had been driving carelessly, recklessly, and negligently, our client won a $910,000 settlement. 

The mother was taking the Pulaski Skyway to reach Cartaret, New Jersey. She stopped her vehicle when the car ahead of her came to a halt. Moments later, she felt an impact to her vehicle that caused it to move forward and hit the car in front of her. Our client immediately lost consciousness upon impact and was taken by ambulance to the Jersey City Medical Center. 

Because of the driver’s negligence, our client suffered injuries to her spine and knees. She suffered disc bulges in her cervical spine, and disc herniations in both her cervical spine and lumbar spine. Our client first tried pain management, which included an epidural steroid injection, bilateral selective nerve root blocks, and median branch facet blocks. When her pain continued, she underwent two surgeries: the first was L5 and S1 laminectomies, and the second was a complete anterior discectomy at C4-C5 with bilateral foraminotomy. Her right knee also suffered a meniscal tear that required an arthroscopy to treat, and she underwent physical therapy to treat her spine and knee. 

Our client is on disability from her work as a Customer Service Director. She also struggles with chronic pain and depression. Personal injury lawyer Samuel L. Davis advocated for her and ensured she received proper compensation for her loss in income, medical bills, and pain and suffering. After partner Samuel L. Davis proved the driver’s negligence in the Superior Court of New Jersey, the client won a $910,000 settlement. 

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

Cervical Spine: The first seven vertebrae in the spine.

Lumbar Spine: The lower back, containing five vertebrae.

Disc Bulge: An extension of disc tissue past the edge of the vertebrae.

Disc Herniation: Occurs when the exterior of a disc cracks and its nucleus pushes into the spinal canal and irritates surrounding nerves.

Epidural steroid injections: The injection of anti-inflammatory medicine into the epidural space in the spine.

Selective Nerve Root Block: The injection of cortisone into the area around the nerve root as it exits the spinal column.

Median Branch Facet Block: The injection of an anesthetic near medial nerves connected to a facet joint. 

Laminectomy: The surgical procedure that removes the lamina (the back of the vertebra that covers the spinal canal); also known as decompression surgery. 

Anterior Discectomy: A surgical procedure that removes the disc and the disc material pressing on the spine.

Foraminotomy: A surgical procedure that removes a small part of the affected bone to enlarge the passageway through which a spinal root nerve branches from the spinal canal.

Meniscal Tear: A tear in the cartilage of the knee; commonly occurs if an individual suddenly and forcefully twists their knee.