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Pamela Pierro Obtains Favorable Verdict Following Two Day Automobile Defense Jury Trial

Pamela Pierro recently obtained an outstanding defense verdict following a two day jury trial in the Circuit Court of Cook County. Her success is even more impressive considering that her opposing counsel was a retired Cook County judge, who had presided over that Court for 15 years.

The matter involved an automobile accident, in which Ms. Pierro's client turned left in front of oncoming traffic. The primary issue at trial was the nature and extent of injury and damages. The Plaintiff was an 18 year old male who claimed that the collision caused a herniated disc in his lumbar spine. His medical treatment following the accident was minimal and conservative, with total medical bills of only about $6,000.

Given his young age, Plaintiff argued mostly for future pain and suffering and loss of a normal life. The Defendant's expert witness acknowledged that as a result of the accident the plaintiff suffered neck and low back sprains and strains and a knee contusion, but denied that the disc condition was caused or aggravated by the accident. Rather, he opined that the plaintiff suffered from a non-separated vertebrae in the base of his spine fused with his pelvis, which caused atypical stress on the disc, causing the herniation at a young age.

Plaintiff's last settlement demand prior to trial was $100,000.00 (the automobile insurance policy limit) and Plaintiff asked the jury for a $250,000.00 verdict. Defendant's last offer of settlement was $10,000.00.

Following deliberations, the final verdict came in at $26,894.60 after a reduction for contributory negligence on the part of the Plaintiff for speeding at the time of impact.