Kentucky Jury Awards $10,007 for Medical Expenses in Rear-End Collision

On August 4, 2017, a 49-year-old plaintiff was rear-ended by the defendant on Smallhouse Road at its intersection with Patrick Way in Kentucky. The defendant conceded fault for the minor collision. The plaintiff subsequently sought treatment for chronic radiating neck pain, alleging the incident aggravated pre-existing degenerative conditions. A plaintiff's independent medical examiner confirmed a new neck injury and the temporary aggravation of a low-back injury.

The plaintiff filed a lawsuit seeking damages from the defendant. The court directed a verdict for the plaintiff's initial medical expenses totaling $10,007. The jury was tasked with deciding whether the plaintiff was entitled to an additional $7,582 in contested medical costs and up to $200,000 for pain and suffering. The defendant's defense focused on minimizing the claimed injuries.

After hearing the case, the jury awarded no additional damages for either medical expenses or pain and suffering. The final judgment for the plaintiff was $10,007.47, which was then reduced by $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) benefits, resulting in a net award of $7.47.