King County Arbitration Awards $739,459 in Rear-End Collision

In King County, Washington, a plaintiff filed a personal injury lawsuit after being involved in a low-speed rear-end collision. The incident occurred as the plaintiff was slowing to make a right turn, and the defendant's vehicle struck the rear of the plaintiff's car. The plaintiff alleged that the collision caused or aggravated spinal injuries, specifically moderate foraminal spinal stenosis at C5-6 with degenerative disc disease, which necessitated cervical spine surgery. Although the surgery led to improved upper extremity function, the plaintiff reported continued pain.

The defendant contested the extent and cause of the plaintiff's injuries, arguing that the impact was too minor to cause the claimed damage. The defense also pointed to evidence of significant pre-existing degenerative disc disease visible on the plaintiff's MRI and a history of extensive treatment for neck symptoms in the six months prior to the collision, suggesting pre-existing conditions were responsible for the symptoms.

The case proceeded to a two-day arbitration hearing. The neutral arbitrator, a former King County Superior Court judge, found the plaintiff's testimony credible. The arbitrator awarded the plaintiff $739,459.89 in damages, which included medical expenses, past wage loss, and general damages for injuries sustained.