Houston Jury Awards $249,588 in Commercial Truck Rear-End Collision
One driver was rear-ended by a commercial truck while stopped in traffic. The driver and his son claimed injuries. The case proceeded to trial for the driver's damages only, as the son settled and liability was stipulated. The driver sought compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and physical impairment.
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
- $249,588
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2015
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $249,588 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 January 19, 2010, a plaintiff general contractor and a co-plaintiff were driving a pickup truck on an overpass in Houston when they were rear-ended by a commercial truck. The commercial truck driver was operating the vehicle in the course and scope of his employment with Enerven Compression LLC, and the truck was owned by Worldwide Energy Solutions Company LLC. The plaintiffs claimed multiple injuries and filed a lawsuit against the commercial truck driver for negligence, his employer for vicarious liability, and the truck owner for negligent entrustment. The co-plaintiff settled for $6,000 before trial, and the plaintiffs nonsuited the truck owner during the proceedings.
The remaining defendant driver and his employer stipulated to liability, leading the case to trial solely on the general contractor's damages. The general contractor claimed a disc herniation, a torn medial and lateral meniscus, and a knee ligament strain. He received emergency room care, followed by physical therapy and three lumbar epidural steroid injections, incurring $42,588.25 in medical bills. The plaintiff sought compensation for past and future medical expenses, as well as past and future pain and suffering and physical impairment, asserting that his injuries limited his ability to work and engage in leisure activities.
After a two-day trial and three hours of deliberation, a Houston jury awarded the plaintiff general contractor $249,588.25. The award specifically covered past medical bills and past and future pain and suffering. The jury did not include damages for physical impairment.
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 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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