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

Pedestrian Hit By Driver—$625,000 Settlement

In Paramus, New Jersey, a vehicle hit an elderly woman, causing her to suffer severe injuries to her head, back, and knees. Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. Partner Samuel L. Davis proved that the driver had been negligent in her failure to operate her vehicle safely and carefully, and secured our client a $625,000 settlement.

Our client was crossing the parking lot to enter the Burlington Coat Factory located at 651 Route 17S. As she was crossing, she was hit from behind by a vehicle, losing consciousness upon impact. The woman was then taken by ambulance to the Hackensack Regional Medical Center. She suffered fractures of the skull and facial bones with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Post-trauma, she developed acute respiratory failure and pneumonia. Our client also suffered cervical and lumbar strain, a meniscus tear in her left knee, and contusion sprains to both knees. Following the accident, she wore a leg brace for six months, and relied on oxygen therapy for a year. Due to the severity and extensiveness of her injuries, she will likely require additional surgery and medical care.

The client is a beloved mother and grandmother, and she played an active role in the lives of her grandchildren before the accident. However, due to the cognitive effects her injuries have left her with, specifically a deteriorated short-term memory, the drive to visit them has become too difficult for her to complete safely.

The firm hired medical practitioners to serve as expert witnesses. They authored narratives and provided oral and written testimony to help Partner Samuel L. Davis prove the permanent nature of our client’s injuries, as well as her entitlement to financial compensation.

With the support of the experts, Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. Partner Samuel L. Davis filed suit in the Bergen County Superior Court and ensured that our client received proper compensation in the form of a $625,000 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

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Bleeding within the subarachnoid area of the brain, which is between the brain and the tissue covering the brain.

Acute Respiratory Failure: A syndrome that occurs when the respiratory system fails to either perform oxygenation or carbon dioxide elimination.

Pneumonia: An infection in the air sacs of one or both of the lungs. Symptoms include fever, chills, and severe cough with phlegm.

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

Contusion: A bruise, or an area of injured tissue/skin in which blood capillaries ruptured.

Oxygen Therapy: Prescribed for individuals who cannot get enough oxygen on their own. Methods include oxygen gas, liquid gas, and oxygen concentrators.