Houston Jury Awards $250,000 in Police Officer Crash
A police officer failed to yield the right of way at a stop sign and broadsided a driver in Houston. The driver claimed neck and back injuries, including disc herniations and radiating pain. She underwent surgery and physical therapy. The jury found the officer negligent.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Cervical Disc Injury Injuries
Cervical disc injuries involve damage to the intervertebral discs in the neck region (C1-C7). These injuries can include herniated discs, bulging discs, and disc degeneration accelerated by trauma.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $1,512,467
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2017
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- T-bone
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $1,512,467 is above the median of $40,000 for cervical disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $18,000 to $100,000, based on 250 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On October 9, 2015, a real estate agent was driving westbound on Airport Boulevard in Houston when her vehicle was broadsided by an on-duty Houston police officer. The officer, who was not responding to an emergency, had stopped at a stop sign on Chickadee Lane, a side street, and proceeded across Airport Boulevard without stopping in the median gap. An investigating officer faulted the police officer for failing to yield the right of way.
The plaintiff sued the city of Houston under the Texas Tort Claims Act, alleging the officer negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, yield the right of way, and brake or turn to avoid the collision. The defense denied negligence, with the officer testifying that guard rails about 200 feet east of the intersection obstructed his view of the plaintiff's vehicle. The defense also obtained a jury instruction on unavoidable accidents.
The plaintiff sustained neck and back injuries, including multiple disc herniations, which led to chiropractic treatment, several epidural steroid injections, and a cervical discectomy and fusion from C3 to C6. The plaintiff's treating surgeon testified that all treatments were reasonable and necessary. The plaintiff sought over $3 million in damages for past and future medical bills, pain, anguish, disfigurement, and physical impairment.
After a two-day trial, a jury deliberated for 1.5 hours. The jury found the officer negligent and awarded the plaintiff $1,512,466.85. However, under the Texas Tort Claims Act, the total damages awarded against the city were capped at $250,000.
Understanding This Case
- Many cervical disc injuries improve with conservative treatment. However, about 30% of cases may require surgical intervention, with varying degrees of permanent impairment.
- 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 2017, 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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