A Wayne County, MI, jury awarded $17.8 million in damages to a woman driving a Volkswagen that was rear-ended by a cement truck, leaving her unable to live independently. After eight days of trial, the jury compensated the injured driver on June 11, 2014 for lost wages, pain and suffering.
"The jury's verdict made it possible for me to have closure, have a new outlook on my life, start the real healing process, let go of the anger and ultimately, allowed me to see the silver lining," said Vaylma Dorado, the 36-year-old plaintiff in the trial.
On September 17, 2010, Dorado was rear ended by a cement truck on Telegraph Road. The driver of the truck was distracted, reading paperwork while driving 50 miles per hour. He ran into the back of Dorado's vehicle while she was waiting to turn, driving her Volkswagen Jetta into a utility pole.
Because of the accident, she had to have three spinal fusion back surgeries, a hip fusion and shoulder surgery. Dorado now has a collection of screws and plates in her spine that causes her constant pain. She also suffered a significant traumatic brain injury (TBI). As a result, she is no longer able to work or live independently.
"Nothing that happened since the accident will restore our client's health, but the money the jury awarded will ensure that she has the medical and professional care she needs so that financial concerns will no longer stand in the way of her continuing rehabilitation," said David Christensen of Christensen Law.
Co-counsel Sarah Stempky Kime commented, "Thanks to the jury's decision, our client can now focus on healing and adjusting to her new life-changing circumstances without the added anxiety of wondering how she would pay for the additional assistance she needs as a result of the accident."
Christensen and Stempky Kime explained that the firm's trial record is among the top 1 percent of trial attorneys nationwide. Christensen Law is a personal injury law firm that specializes in helping victims of automobile and truck accidents.
