Stuart & Branigin attorney fights insurance company and wins favorable verdict.
James Olds, a partner at Stuart & Branigin LLP, secured a $219,577.58 jury verdict against State Farm Insurance for an underinsured motorist who suffered neck, lower back and chest injuries in a motor vehicle collision when another car ran a stop sign. Our client was treated in the local emergency room and released, then followed up with their chiropractor to treat ongoing neck and back pain. Six months after being released from the chiropractor our client continues to have pain in her neck and back which worsened over course of the following year. She then sought further treatment in physical therapy and steroid injections, all of which failed. She then underwent spinal fusion in her lumbar spine, which totaled nearly $220,000.00 in medical expenses.
Our client was insured by State Farm with medical payment coverage in the amount of $25,000 and underinsured motorist coverage with $100,000 limits. The other driver settled for policy limits of $25,000.00. State Farm paid approximately $8,000 under its medical payments coverage, but denied that our client’s ongoing neck and back problems were caused by the crash, and instead blamed the problems on degenerative disc disease. State Farm contended the surgery and other treatment were not related to the crash. State Farm, instead, offered $10,000 to settle at mediation.
The case was tried September 20-21 in Tippecanoe Superior Court 2. The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff in the amount of $219,577.58, the full amount of medical expenses incurred by our client. After reductions for policy limits and previous payments received by our client under medical payments coverage and from the other driver, judgment was entered in favor of client and against State Farm in the amount of $91,765.84, the full amount available under client’s State Farm policy.
Jim strongly believes every person has a right to justice. No matter how big or small your case, you are entitled to receive high quality, ethical, personal representation. To learn more about Jim Olds and his practice, please visit his bio.
Stuart & Branigin was founded 1878 in Lafayette, Indiana. Our experienced and knowledgeable lawyers provide trusted counsel to local, regional and national clients. Our firm is comprised of five practice groups: Corporate and Non-Profit, Litigation, Personal Injury, Private Client Services, and Transportation.
For more information please visit our website or contact us by phone at (765) 423-1561.
Stuart & Branigin was founded in 1878 in Lafayette, Indiana. Our experienced and knowledgeable lawyers provide trusted counsel to local, regional and national clients. Our firm is composed of five practice groups, Corporate and Non-Profit, Litigation, Personal Injury, Private Client Services, and Transportation.