East Baton Rouge Jury Awards $442,500 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was traveling on a highway and slowed due to traffic. The other driver, operating a tractor/trailer, struck the first vehicle. The injured driver sustained spinal cord damages and a herniated lumbar disc requiring surgery.
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
- $442,500
- County
- Dallas County, LA
- Resolved
- 2015
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Truck/Commercial
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Accident
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $442,500 is above the median of $50,756 for lumbar disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $20,000 to $210,000, based on 204 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On March 2, 2011, a truck driver was traveling eastbound on I-12 in East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, when the driver slowed for traffic congestion. The plaintiff's vehicle was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer operated by a defendant driver and owned by a defendant trucking company. The plaintiff sustained multiple injuries in the collision, including spinal cord damage and a herniated lumbar disc requiring surgical repair.
The plaintiff filed a negligence lawsuit on April 27, 2011, against the driver, the trucking company, and their insurers in federal court in Louisiana. Prior to trial, the defendants stipulated to liability for the collision. Consequently, the trial proceeded solely on the issue of damages, with both sides presenting expert testimony regarding the plaintiff's injuries, vocational rehabilitation needs, and economic losses.
On January 28, 2015, a jury awarded the plaintiff $442,500. The award included $95,000 for past medical expenses, $18,000 for future medical expenses, $65,000 for past, present, and future mental anguish and physical pain and suffering, $35,000 for loss of enjoyment of life, $175,000 for loss of earning capacity, and $54,500 for past lost wages. Judgment was formally entered against the defendants on February 4, 2015.
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 2015, 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
This outcome differs from typical similar cases
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