Our friend Jonathan Griffith of Griffith Law recently obtained a verdict of over $400K on behalf of his client Larry Vernon. When a dump truck sideswiped the plaintiff’s work van, the collision resulted in relatively minor damage. The Plaintiff felt “fine” at the scene and proceeded to work his normal work schedule that day.
In the days that followed, the Plaintiff began to experience neck pain and numbness in his right arm. He went to his primary doctor and was then referred to a neurosurgeon where he ultimately had a 3-level neck fusion. The insurance company refused to offer to pay for the plaintiff’s medical bills, claiming the 70-year-old man’s pain was the result of only “degenerative disc disease.” The Plaintiff decided to file suit against the dump truck driver and the owners/company.
The Defense took the position that the sideswipe was inadequate to cause injury, there was no injury reported at the scene, and the Plaintiff proceeded to work after the incident. The insurance defense lawyers also hired two high priced “courtroom doctor experts” to try and refute the plaintiff’s treating doctor that the wreck caused his pain and need for surgery. The plaintiff had approximately $100K in medical bills, and the defense only offered $70K total to settle the claim. John had offered to settle the case short of trial for $125K. The parties could not reach an agreement and trial ensued.
John and his team proceeded to trial and received a jury verdict of $422,278 which included medicals, permanent injury, pain and suffering, as well as loss of ability to enjoy life.
John shared his thoughts on the verdict:
“Larry Vernon is an extremely honest and hard-working man, even in his 70’s. The insurance lawyers tried to use his hard work ethic against him, and it backfired, as this jury saw right through their tactics. I am thankful justice was done for Larry. He is a good man, a worthy Vietnam veteran hero to me, and a good friend. He did not deserve to be treated like he was by the insurance company. I am thankful for our jury system that can keep bullies in place.” - John Griffith
We at Advocate Capital, Inc. extend our warmest congratulations to Griffith Law. We can never thank trial attorneys enough for working hard every day for their clients.
Maria Escamilla
Executive Client Manager
