Houston Jury Awards $385,000 in Underinsured Motorist Claim
One driver was stopped at a red light when their vehicle was struck from behind by another vehicle. The injured driver claimed back and neck injuries. After initial conservative treatment, further medical evaluations recommended surgery for disc issues. The case proceeded to trial on damages, with the plaintiff seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and disfigurement.
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
- Settlement
- Amount
- $385,000
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2018
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This settlement of $385,000 is near the median of $133,000 for cervical disc injury cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $32,080 to $729,994, based on 45 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On December 12, 2010, a 43-year-old attorney was rear-ended on Louetta Street in Houston while stopped at a red light. The plaintiff claimed neck and back injuries from the collision. After the at-fault motorist's insurer paid its $25,000 policy limit, the plaintiff sued her own insurer, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., seeking recovery under her underinsured-motorist policy. The defendant insurer conceded liability, and the trial focused on determining damages.
The plaintiff did not seek immediate medical treatment but later reported neck and lower back pain, which led to physical therapy and two cervical surgeries in late 2013 and early 2014. Her treating neurosurgeon opined the surgeries were necessitated by the accident, and she sought $615,000 for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and disfigurement. The defendant insurer's expert neurosurgeon countered that the injuries resulted from normal wear and tear, citing pre-existing symptoms, and proposed $14,000 for past medical expenses. A Houston jury awarded the plaintiff $385,000. After accounting for prejudgment interest, costs, and the prior settlement, the final judgment was $413,566.11. The plaintiff later filed a separate bad faith lawsuit against the insurer, alleging untimely judgment payment.
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 was resolved through a settlement, avoiding the uncertainty and expense of a trial. Settlements typically resolve faster and provide guaranteed compensation.
- 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 is within expected ranges
This score is calculated by analyzing injury type, accident details, geographic location, temporal trends, and comparing against 2,000+ similar cases in our database.
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