Amanda was one of several victims in a 4 car rear-end accident on the infamous 405 Freeway. Her property damage was evidenced by a license plate imprint from the car behind. She was the last hit.

Amanda insisted she suffered $149,278 in past medical expenses. She testified to have cervical and lumbar disc protrusions, with an annular tear at L5-S1, causing her to have 4 epidural injections, and was expecting to have 2 additional injections.

Defendant State Farm agreed they were responsible for the accident, but the accident was minor, causing no serious injuries.

Before the trial, Amanda demanded $200,000. State Farm offered to pay $150,000.

The jury did not believe Amanda. Instead, they awarded her $7,795 for past medical expenses, $560 for future medical fees, $10,000 for past pain and suffering, and finally $240, for future pain.

Total awarded to Amanda = $18,595.

Los Angeles Superior Court, Hon Michael Vicencia, March 15, 2024

Case No 23LBCV0820 Amanda vs. Adelson

PRO TIP

• Always be cautious in demanding too much compensation.
• 4 epidural shots is extreme.
• Planning on taking 2 More epidurals is not reasonable.
• Amanda will personally be liable to pay all of State Farm’s court costs. That could total in to six figures.
• Let’s hope her lawyers warned her about the consequences on not accepting State Farm’s offer just before trial.

Often doctors and attorneys confuse “mild” Traumatic Brain Injuries as inconsequential. In fact, many medical studies confirm that a “mild” TBI may have long term cognitive consequences. One specific case when an unconscious patient was rescued from a pool and had no memory of the incident. At the time this was considered a near drowning incident.

However, that patient’s life changed.

Mild TBI’s are a challenge. They are hard to diagnose and to treat. Studies show mild TBI’s are missing in the ER departments at an alarming large number of the time. [Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation]

Even a majority of the ‘homeless’ population suffer MTBI according to Lancet Public Health.

First to Consider when diagnosing is Mechanism of Injury: what are the plausible causes for MTBI? 

• Being struck directly with an object
• Head striking hard object or surface
• Brain undergoing severe acceleration/deceleration movement without direct impact
• Concussive from a blast or explosion.
• Consider rotational forces may cause diffuse TBI

For a copy of the studies mentioned, contact John Tawlian.