Brandi Beale Wins Favorable Jury Verdict in Gwinnett County
Brandi Beale won a favorable jury verdict for her clients in Gwinnett County State Court. The case arose after one of the Defendants rear-ended two vehicles on interstate 85. Three people claimed injuries after the accident, and all three filed competing time limit demands. Defendants were able to settle with the two more injured Claimants, leaving Defendants with no available liability coverage for the third Claimant, who filed suit. Plaintiff claimed soft issue injuries along with emotional distress. The Plaintiff incurred $13,500 in medical expenses however, her treatment concluded within nine days of the accident. Having rejected Defendant’s settlement offer of $15,000, the case went to trial. We admitted negligence and defended the case on causation and damages, arguing any pain and suffering alleged by Plaintiff ended after her nine days of treatment. Plaintiff’s counsel argued his client suffered immense emotional trauma after the accident and asked the jury to award a large amount of damages to account for her pain and suffering. The jury returned a verdict only awarding Plaintiff her special damages of only $13,500.
Brandi Beale is an associate in the Alpharetta office of Lueder, Larkin & Hunter where her practice focuses on general liability defense and litigation. Brandi can be reached at bbeale@luederlaw.com.