Jefferson County Jury Awards $63,792.99 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was traveling south on a highway when another vehicle rear-ended her. The injured driver claimed neck injuries and sought medical treatment, including injections. She also claimed lost job opportunities due to the accident. The defense argued that the treatment was unnecessary and the charges were excessive. The jury awarded damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and physical impairment.
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
- $63,793
- County
- Jefferson County, TX
- Resolved
- 2018
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $63,793 is near 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 January 15, 2015, a plaintiff's vehicle was rear-ended by a pickup truck while driving southbound on U.S. 69 in Jefferson County, Texas. The plaintiff sustained a neck injury and settled with the at-fault driver for the $30,000 policy limit. She subsequently sued her underinsured motorist carrier, Allstate Indemnity Co., for additional coverage. The insurer stipulated to the negligence of the pickup truck driver.
The plaintiff reported immediate neck pain, and an MRI later indicated a disc protrusion at C4-5. Treatment included an emergency room visit and multiple epidural steroid injections. She sought $28,792.99 for past medical expenses, $30,000 to $50,000 for past pain and suffering, $28,792.99 for past physical impairment, and $3,500 for lost earnings from a missed job opportunity. The defense argued the treatment was unnecessary and excessive, noting the MRI described the protrusion as "very small." The defense also impeached the lost earnings claim with social media photos, leading plaintiff's counsel to drop that damages request.
The defense suggested an award of $8,761.85 for past medical expenses, $7,500 for past pain and suffering, and $5,000 for past physical impairment, with no lost earnings. After a one-day trial and 1.5 hours of deliberation, the jury awarded the plaintiff $63,792.99. Accounting for a $30,000 liability policy settlement credit and $2,500 in personal injury protection payments, the plaintiff's net recovery totaled $31,292.99.
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 Jefferson 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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