Covington Jury Awards $27,045 in Rear-End Collision

A rear-end collision occurred on Dixie Highway in Elsmere, Kentucky, on December 10, 2022. The plaintiff, then age 36, was stopped in traffic at a red light when a vehicle operated by the defendant struck the plaintiff's car from behind. The collision resulted in minor damage to the plaintiff's vehicle, and the defendant conceded fault for the incident.

Following the crash, the plaintiff sought emergency medical treatment for apparent soft-tissue symptoms and a head strike on the steering wheel. The plaintiff subsequently presented to a primary care physician for headaches, whiplash, and radiating neck pain, leading to physical therapy and chiropractic visits. A treating neurologist later diagnosed chronic migraines related to a post-concussive syndrome, necessitating a work accommodation for light sensitivity. The plaintiff incurred medical bills totaling $17,388.

The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the defendant, seeking damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The plaintiff's spouse also presented a derivative claim for loss of consortium, marking the first jury presentation of a same-sex loss of consortium claim in Kentucky. The defendant disputed the extent of the plaintiff's claimed injuries.

A jury in Covington awarded the plaintiff $14,500 for medical bills, $3,045 for lost wages, and $10,000 for pain and suffering, resulting in a total verdict of $27,045. The jury rejected the spouse's loss of consortium claim. At the time of the report, a final judgment had not yet been entered.