Partner Michael B. Fusco and Levinson Axelrod, P.A. recently secured a six-figure jury verdict Thursday morning, February 7, 2019, on behalf of an Edison man who suffered injuries in a motor vehicle collision. Following four days of trial, a Middlesex County jury awarded $626,300.22 in compensation for our client’s injuries and related damages – a substantial amount in comparison to the $75,000 settlement offer made by the defendant’s insurance carrier.
The case stems from a head-on auto accident in June 2016 in Monroe Township, New Jersey. Our client, then 54 years of age, had been traveling as a passenger in his girlfriend’s vehicle, which was struck by another vehicle attempting to make a left turn. The presiding Judge, through summary judgment, previously determined the driver of the other vehicle to be at fault for the collision.
As a result of the crash, our client suffered serious injuries to his back, neck, and his right knee. He was required to undergo a number of treatments, including physical therapy and injections. Though his doctors had recommended surgical procedures to treat his injuries, our client had no remaining benefits on his auto insurance policy to pay for the operations.
Because the defendant’s insurance company refused to make a full and fair settlement offer – making only a single proposal to settle the claim for $75,000 – Michael and our legal team were determined to litigate. After a 4-day trial and more than 3 hours of deliberations, a jury comprised of 6 men and 2 women returned the considerable $626,300.22 verdict. The jury award includes:
- $26,300.22 for past unpaid medical expenses;
- $250,000 for pain and suffering; and
- $350,000 for future medical expenses, including needed surgeries.
Because our client is also eligible to receive a little over $42,000 in pre-judgment interest, the total award will amount to $668,367.82, an amount within the policy limits of the defendant’s auto insurance.
As Partner Michael Fusco notes, the decision to bring this case to trial and let a jury decide the outcome was a strategic and successful plan of action:
“The jury were clearly diligent in fulfilling their obligation to fairly and reasonably compensate our client for the harms caused to him by the defendant. For that, we owe them our gratitude.”
The outcome of this case is a victory for our client, who will now obtain the funds necessary for his needed surgeries. It’s also an important illustration of the power our civil justice system yields when it comes to righting wrongs, and its ability to help victims make their voices heard – even when they have been treated unfairly by powerful corporations and insurance companies that care more about profits than they do about people.
Levinson Axelrod, P.A.: Fighting for Injured New Jersey Victims Since 1939
Michael B. Fusco is an award-winning trial attorney widely respected for his skill, experience, and passionate approach to advocacy, and a Partner at Levinson Axelrod, P.A. a New Jersey law firm that has been fighting for injured victims and families across New Jersey since 1939. Over the years, our legal team has recovered more than $1 billion in compensation for our clients in a range of personal injury and workers’ compensation cases– over $350 million of which has been recovered in the past 5 years alone.
If you have questions about our firm, our areas of practice, or how we may be able to assist in a potential auto accident or truck accident claim of your own, please call (732) 440-3089 or contact us online. We proudly serve clients throughout all 21 counties of New Jersey from multiple office locations.