This case occurred in Lauderdale County, Alabama. Our client was driving his work vehicle when a driver failed to yield the right of way at a red light and turned in front of our client. Our client was a hard working man who operated a family farm and worked in the heating and air industry. Several years prior to the wreck, our client had undergone back surgery to repair a disc injury. After his surgery, he returned back to full duty without any problems or complications.
After the wreck, our client began to experience worsening back pain with pain radiating into his legs. He was examined by a orthopedic spine specialist who recommended surgery. Specifically, the surgeon recommended our client undergo an anterior lumbar interbody fusion. Before trial, the insurance company never offered more than $50,000 to settle the case.
At trial, the insurance company argued that it wasn’t the car wreck that caused our client’s need for a fusion but degenerative disc disease and arthritis from his previous surgery. At trial, each of our client’s treating physicians testified that it was their opinion that the only reason our client had to have surgery was due to the injury and damages he sustained to his back in the car wreck. The jury saw through the insurance companies smoke screen, followed the evidence, and awarded our client $800,000.