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

Teacher Injured in Car Accident on I-95 – $600,000 Settlement

In Fort Lee, New Jersey, a woman driving on I-95 by Fletcher Avenue was side-swiped, seriously injuring her back. Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. Partner Paul A. Garfield filed suit in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Bergen County, proved that the other driver had been negligent in his failure to make a safe lane change, and won our client a $600,000 settlement.

The accident injured the client’s neck and back, causing a bulging disc in her cervical spine, and a herniated disc and annular tear in her lumbar spine. She also developed carpal tunnel syndrome, which required bilateral carpal tunnel release in her wrists to treat. To treat her cervical spine, our client first underwent an epidural steroid injection before undergoing an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. For her lumbar spine, she underwent a lumbar discectomy and foraminotomy.

Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. hired medical experts to author narrative reports proving the permanent nature of the 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. The firm also retained an economics expert to assess the financial loss suffered by our client. The expert determined that, due to our client’s post-injury physical limitations, the collision had reduced her total future earning capacity by several hundred thousand dollars.

With the help of these experts, Partner Paul A. Garfield won our client proper compensation for her injuries, pain, and suffering, in the form of a $600,000 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

Annular Tear: A small tear or crack that occurs in the outer layer of a spinal disc. This outer layer, known as the annulus fibrosus, can develop these tears due to age-related changes or injury. An annular tear may cause localized pain, discomfort, or mild nerve irritation, but it typically does not lead to severe nerve compression or significant functional limitations.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF): A surgical procedure performed to treat certain neck conditions. During ACDF, a surgeon removes a damaged or herniated disc in the neck and fuses adjacent vertebrae together using a bone graft or implant. This fusion helps stabilize the spine and relieve pressure on nerves, reducing pain and improving neck function.

Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Release: A surgical procedure performed to alleviate symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists simultaneously. During the procedure, the surgeon makes small incisions in the palms of both hands and cuts the transverse carpal ligament, which relieves pressure on the median nerve.

Bulging Disc: A condition where a spinal disc protrudes slightly beyond its normal position. It typically occurs due to age-related degeneration or wear and tear. A bulging disc may cause localized pain, discomfort, or mild nerve irritation, but it often does not result in severe nerve compression or significant functional limitations.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A condition that affects the wrist and hand. It occurs when the median nerve, which travels through a narrow passage called the carpal tunnel, becomes compressed or squeezed. This compression can cause symptoms such as pain, numbness, and tingling in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger.

Epidural Steroid Injection: A medical procedure used to provide relief from pain and inflammation in the spine. During the injection, a corticosteroid medication is delivered directly into the epidural space, which is the area around the spinal nerves. This medication helps reduce swelling and soothe irritated nerves, providing temporary relief for conditions like herniated discs or spinal stenosis.

Foraminotomy: A surgical procedure performed to treat certain conditions in the spine. It involves the widening of the neural foramina, which are small openings through which nerves exit the spinal canal. By enlarging these passageways, foraminotomy aims to relieve pressure on the nerves, reduce pain, and improve the overall function of the affected area.

Herniated Disc: Also known as a slipped disc or ruptured disc, occurs when the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes through a tear or crack in the outer layer. This can put pressure on nearby nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the affected area.

Lumbar Discectomy: A surgical procedure used to treat certain conditions in the lower back. It involves the removal of a portion of a damaged or herniated disc in the lumbar spine, which can alleviate pressure on nearby nerves and reduce pain. By removing the problematic disc material, lumbar discectomy aims to restore mobility, relieve symptoms, and improve the overall function of the lower back.