Tampa Partners Dan Shapiro and Bill Kirilloff achieved a significant trial result against a prominent national Plaintiff firm, securing a verdict of only $9,841 in past medical expenses despite the case's complexities.
This case involved a low-speed collision between our client and the Plaintiff, a retirement-aged triage nurse with extensive preexisting cervical and lumbar issues. These preexisting conditions made her particularly susceptible to injury, complicating the case further. Additionally, our client faced challenges in attending the trial, being able to participate only sporadically via Zoom.
The Plaintiff presented evidence of her role as a caretaker for two family members and documented extensive medical expenses, including numerous rounds of interventional treatment and spinal surgery. Her claim for lost wages was supported by testimony from her former supervisor, who stated that she had to retire early due to her injuries.
Despite the Plaintiff's compelling presentation, including testimonies from three treating physicians and one expert, our team skillfully highlighted the lack of objective medical evidence supporting an aggravation of her preexisting conditions. The treating physicians conceded that her degenerative changes would have necessitated surgery irrespective of the accident and that her objective findings did not align with her subjective complaints.
In closing arguments, the Plaintiff's total damage claim exceeded $1 million. However, after only two hours of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of just $9,841 in past medical expenses, with no future medical care, lost wages, or permanency awarded.
The outcome was a testament to the outstanding collaboration and effort of our team. Special thanks to Tampa Administrative Partner Michelle Bartels for her assistance with jury selection; Legal Assistant Wilnise Corgelas, Paralegal Tim Goodwin, and Legal Assistant/Paralegal Chelsey O’Halloran for their relentless pursuit of nonparty providers; and Associate Emily Barry for her vital trial support. A special acknowledgment also goes to Associate Sasha Pandolfo for hand-delivering films to our radiologist in Fort Myers amidst an IT issue. This case exemplifies our team's dedication and excellence, confirmed by the jury's commendation as they exited the Courthouse.
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