Covington, Kentucky Jury Awards $106,482 in Rear-End Collision
A driver was stopped in traffic when another vehicle rear-ended them. The impact pushed the plaintiff's vehicle into another car. The plaintiff sought damages for medical bills and pain and suffering. The defense argued the crash was minor and the injuries were not directly related to the incident.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Lumbar Disc Injury Injuries
Lumbar disc injuries affect the lower back (L1-L5 and S1), which bears significant body weight and is particularly vulnerable to trauma. These injuries can cause debilitating pain and functional limitations.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $106,482
- County
- Dallas County, KY
- Resolved
- 2020
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $106,482 is near the median of $52,582 for lumbar disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $20,000 to $225,000, based on 219 cases in our database.
Case Overview
A chain-reaction rear-end collision occurred in Covington, Kentucky, on August 3, 2015. The plaintiff's vehicle was stopped in traffic when an intermediate vehicle, struck by the defendant's vehicle, was pushed forward into the plaintiff's car. The defendant admitted fault for the collision. The plaintiff sought chiropractic treatment nine days later for soft-tissue symptoms and was subsequently diagnosed with spinal disc bulges by an orthopedist. The plaintiff underwent a course of care including pain management.
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the defendant, seeking $53,241 for past medical expenses, along with sums for future care and pain and suffering. A medical expert for the plaintiff confirmed the injuries and linked them to the crash. The defendant disputed the extent and causation of the injuries, arguing the vehicle damage was minor and treatment was delayed. The defendant also suggested the plaintiff's symptoms were partly related to prior weight-lifting and presented an independent medical expert who opined that any soft-tissue injury was temporary, disc bulges were normal, and complaints stemmed from psychological factors. The plaintiff countered with no prior pain history and questioned the defense expert's limited examination four years post-crash.
The jury found the defendant's fault was a substantial factor in causing the plaintiff's injuries. The jury awarded the plaintiff $53,241 for medical expenses and an equal amount of $53,241 for pain and suffering. The claim for future medical care was rejected. The total verdict for the plaintiff was $106,482.
Understanding This Case
- About 90% of lumbar disc herniations improve with conservative treatment. However, those requiring surgery may face permanent work restrictions and ongoing pain management needs.
- This case went to trial and resulted in a jury verdict. Verdicts can yield higher awards but carry the risk of receiving nothing if the jury rules against the plaintiff.
- This case was resolved in Dallas County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2020, this case reflects the legal and economic conditions of that period, including medical costs, insurance practices, and jury award trends at the time.
VerdictlyTM Score
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