Verdictly
Verdict-Plaintiff
Harris County • 2016

Texas Jury Awards $56,770 in Uninsured Motorist Claim

One driver was making a right turn onto a feeder road when another car making a U-turn swerved into his lane and hit his car. The other car fled the scene. The injured driver claimed lower back injuries, including a herniated disc and aggravation of pre-existing conditions. He treated with a chiropractor and received injections. The defense argued his pain was due to pre-existing conditions and his weight.

Case Information Updated: October 2025

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Lumbar Disc Injury
Other Accident
Aggravation of Pre-existing Condition

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
$56,770
County
Harris County, TX
Resolved
2016

Injury & Accident Details

Injury Type
Lumbar Disc Injury
Accident Type
Other
Case Type
Aggravation of Pre-existing Condition, Lower Back, Herniated Disc

Settlement Context

This verdict-plaintiff of $56,770 is near 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 June 29, 2013, a cell phone salesman was driving in Katy, Texas, when a BMW sedan struck his vehicle and fled the scene. The plaintiff, who sustained lower back injuries, filed a lawsuit against his uninsured motorist carrier, Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Co., seeking benefits. The insurer stipulated the unidentified driver's negligence caused the accident, leaving damages as the sole issue for trial.

The plaintiff claimed a herniated lumbar disc and aggravation of pre-existing, previously asymptomatic degenerative conditions. He sought medical and chiropractic treatment, underwent a CT scan, and received epidural injections, testifying to persistent pain and an inability to work since the incident. His treating chiropractor opined the injuries were accident-related. The plaintiff sought $60,769.50 for various damages, including medical bills, pain, mental anguish, and physical impairment.

Counsel for the insurer argued that any pain derived from the plaintiff's pre-existing conditions and weight, asserting the CT scan showed chronic, not acute, injury. The defense also noted the plaintiff had not sought treatment for 2.5 years before trial and questioned his credibility. After a two-day trial, the jury awarded the plaintiff $56,770 in total damages.

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 2016, 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

63
/100
Reasonably Fair

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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