Houston Minor Motor Vehicle Negligence Settles for $7,000

On September 28, 2014, a minor was involved in a motor vehicle accident allegedly caused by a defendant driver's failure to operate a vehicle in a reasonable and prudent manner. The minor's representative filed a lawsuit against the driver for negligence and against two other defendants, alleging negligent entrustment of their vehicle to the driver. The plaintiff claimed that as a result of the defendants' negligence, the minor incurred medical expenses and suffered personal injuries. The defendants filed a general denial and asserted settlement and release as defenses.

The parties subsequently reached a settlement agreement that required court approval due to the minor plaintiff. A motion for appointment of a guardian ad litem was filed and granted, with the court appointing a guardian to represent the minor's interests and determine the appropriateness of the settlement. The court later ordered a sum to be deposited into its registry.

On June 25, 2019, the court approved the minor settlement, totaling $7,000, and dismissed the plaintiff's cause with prejudice. Funds were disbursed to several lien holders, including Cypress Creek EMS, Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, Houston Radiology Associates, and Neptune Emergency Services, PA. A portion was allocated to the plaintiff's attorney for fees and costs, with the remaining $2,510.67, plus accrued interest, placed in an interest-bearing account to be held for the minor until they reached the age of 18. The court ordered the disbursement of funds from the registry on July 8, 2019.