Twenty-Five Million Dollar Verdict For Paraplegic
A man that became paraplegic following a car collision was awarded twenty-five million dollars for his permanent injuries. Both drivers in the accident claimed they had green lights.
While Illinois has had its fair share of large jury verdicts, this reward is probably the largest in a case where the plaintiff has become permanently paraplegic, stated the plaintiff’s personal injury lawyer.
At trial, it was shown that the plaintiff is permanently paraplegic and must use leg braces and a cane to walk. However, he spends most of his time in a wheelchair.
The accident giving rise to this lawsuit happened in April of 2004. A worker from IDOT (Illinois Dept. of Transportation), hit the plaintiff’s car in an intersection. At trial, both drivers maintained that they had a green light. Crash investigators could not decide which vehicle ran the red light.
While the jury did find the plaintiff to be five percent liable for the accident for speeding, they plaintiff’s ultimate award was over twenty-three million dollars.
The IDOT employee also suffered permanent injuries from the accident. He too has partial paralysis. Additionally, he suffered a TBI (traumatic brain injury) following the collision.
According to a local paper, the plaintiff is unlikely to recover the full amount of the verdict. The Illinois Department of Transportation will be responsible for $2 million of the award through an insurance policy.
Too many times individuals that have suffered serious and permanent injuries at the hands of another go improperly compensated for their injuries. Despite being awarded a jury verdict, the plaintiff in this case will probably not recover even 10% of the entire award.
Before we pass judgment that a jury verdict is far-too excessive, is important to take into account the complete picture of the circumstances surrounding the case. In instances where a person’s life has been permanently changed in a horrific way, the only compensation our system allows for is monetary. Therefore, we are left trying to attach a dollar amount on the use of one’s legs. While not perfect, this is the system of civil justice upon which are country was founded.