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Bladen County wreck resulted in disc protrusion, depression

March 8, 2011

By: North Carolina Lawyers Weekly Staff March 8, 2011

Plaintiff’s vehicle was struck from behind by a vehicle traveling at 45 mph.  Plaintiff lost consciousness in the collision.

In March 2007, he underwent cervical decompression, a complete diskectomy, bilateral foraminotomies and decompression of the nerve roots.  He developed depression due to his inability to sustain gainful employment and was determined to be disabled by the Social Security Administration in August 2010.

Settlement Report
Type of action: Motor vehicle negligence
Injuries alleged: Disc protrusion at C5-6, post-traumatic headaches, complex regional pain syndrome and depression
Case name: Confidential
Case number: Confidential
Court: Bladen County
Verdict or settlement: Pre-trial settlement
Date: Jan. 26, 2011
Amount: $1.1 million
Special damages: $233,541(medical bills), $197,770 (lost wages)
Insurer: GEICO carried the liability coverage, Nationwide provided UIM
Were liability and/or damages contested? Yes
Was the opposing party represented by legal counsel? No
Has the plaintiff been successful in actually collecting the judgment? Yes
Plaintiff’s attorney: H. Mitchell Baker III and M. Troy Slaughter (both of Wilmington)
Editor’s note: The information in Lawyers Weekly’s verdicts and settlements reports was submitted by the counsel for the prevailing party and represents the attorney’s characterization of the case.