Motor Vehicle Accident Verdict

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

(29) DIANE DOMBROWSKI vs. FERRING PHARMACEUTICAL CO.

COUNTY/DOCKET #/JUDGE: Hillsborough / 98-5722 / Gregory P. Holder

PLAINTIFF(S) ATTORNEY(S): Henry Valenzuela, Tampa

DEFENDANT(S) ATTORNEY(S): Dan Mitchell of Shackleford, Farrior, et al., Tampa

AGE/SEX/OCCUPATION OF PLAINTIFF: 34 / F / Pharmaceutical Representative

CAUSE OF INJURY: Motor Vehicle Accident. In February 1998, Plaintiff was a front-seat passenger in a vehicle that struck a concrete abutment on a highway in Tampa. Defendant had leased the vehicle to a passenger who was sitting in the rear seat of the vehicle. Defendant admitted liability and causation.

NATURE OF INJURY: Facial injuries; reflex sympathetic dystrophy and ulnar neuropathy in right upper extremity.

EXPERT WITNESSES:

PLAINTIFF’S: Steve Collard, Vocational Economist, Tampa

DEFENDANT’S: Lee Montgomery, Vocational Rehabilitation, Tampa

VERDICT: $1,436,752 for Plaintiff on July 21, 1999 ($60,752 – past medical expenses and lost wages; $200,000 – present value of future medical expenses [over 45.4 years]; $676,000 – present value of future lost earning ability [over 30 years]; $100,000 – past pain and suffering; $400,000 – future pain and suffering).

EDITOR’S NOTE: Defendant made a settlement offer of $250,000.