Harris County Jury Awards $108,223 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was rear-ended by a pickup truck, causing her vehicle to hit the car in front. She claimed injuries to her back and neck, and sought medical expenses and pain and suffering. The jury awarded her over $100,000.
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
- $108,223
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2018
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $108,223 is near 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 July 31, 2012, a licensed massage therapist was rear-ended on Voss Road in Houston, an impact that pushed her vehicle into another. The driver settled with the at-fault driver's liability carrier for the $30,000 policy limit. She then filed an underinsured motorist claim with her insurer, Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Co., which denied the claim and assigned it to its special investigation unit. The plaintiff subsequently sued Allstate for underinsured motorist benefits.
The plaintiff claimed multiple injuries from the accident, including disc herniations in her lower back, neck pain, headaches, and bruising. She underwent emergency room treatment, followed by 22 sessions of chiropractic care and physical therapy, and four lumbar epidural steroid injections. The plaintiff sought $48,223 for past medical expenses, in addition to future medical costs, and damages for past and future physical pain and impairment, asking the jury for $100,000 in total.
Allstate did not strongly dispute the at-fault driver's negligence but denied that the plaintiff sustained any injury from the accident. The defense highlighted a 10-day delay in treatment after the emergency room visit and the plaintiff's referral to a chiropractor by her attorney. After a two-day trial, a Harris County jury unanimously awarded the plaintiff $108,223. The award included damages for past and future medical costs, and past and future physical impairment and pain.
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 Harris County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2018, 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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