In August of 2017, Trevor Hiestand secured a defense verdict in a case in the State Court of Forsyth County in which the plaintiff claimed medical bills of approximately $200,000 as a result of a cervical fracture and eventual disc replacement surgery.

WACHP is pleased to announce that Brian Williams has been named a partner to the firm.

On August 30, 2017, Ashley Rice and associate Taylor Barnett secured a defense verdict following a two day trial in Fulton County.  At trial, both parties and an eyewitness gave accounts of how the accident happened that were substantially different from what they allegedly told the investigating officer at the scene.  Because the officer initially attributed fault to Ms. Rice’s client, plaintiff sued for injuries and healthcare bills in excess of $30,000.  Ms. Rice and Mr. Barnett successfully challenged plaintiff’s credibility on issues of negligence and causation.  Ultimately, the jury of 12 agreed that plaintiff failed to meet his burden of proving that Ms. Rice’s client was at fault.

On July 12, 2017, following a two and one-half day trial,  Jonathan Adelman obtained a defense verdict from a Gwinnett County jury.  Plaintiff claimed that a minor rear-end collision caused a symptomatic herniated disc and necessitated a lumbar discectomy.  Fault for the accident itself was admitted.  Causation of the injuries and surgery was highly disputed.  Plaintiff had two separate orthopaedic surgeons appear at trial via video deposition and testify that the accident was the source of plaintiff injuries.  The defense hinged on the argument that, although there was no evidence that plaintiff’s symptoms pre-dated the accident, the accident was not the source of plaintiff’s problems.  In support of the defense argument, a biomechanical expert testified that the forces of the impact were not sufficient to herniate a disc or aggravate a preexisting herniated disc.  Plaintiff claimed past healthcare expenses in the amount of $60,000.  In closing argument, plaintiff’s counsel asked for a verdict in excess of $250,000.

On May 25, 2017, Marcia Stewart and Jodene White obtained an excellent verdict in an admitted fault case in Henry County.  The plaintiff presented $33,255.87 in medical special damages.  Plaintiff’s attorney asked the jury for $119,625.00.  The verdict was only $1,153.03, substantially lower than the last offer of $5,500.00.

On May 11, 2017, Jodene White obtained a defense verdict in a contested liability case in Fulton County.  The defendant merged into plaintiff’s lane of travel after slowing down for a H.E.R.O. unit.  The impact was hard and the property damage substantial.  Jodene was able to convince the jury that the collision was caused by plaintiff traveling too fast for conditions.  Plaintiff’s medial special damages exceeded $16,000.

http://www.dailyreportonline.com/id=1202787314102/Associates-String-of-Trial-Successes-Kicks-Off-May-for-Waldon-Adelman?mcode=1202615995203&curindex=0&curpage=ALL

On May 10, 2017, David Smith successfully limited his client’s exposure during a three (3) day trial in Gwinnett County Superior Court before Judge Laura Tate. The plaintiff, who alleged permanent injuries to her neck, asked the jury for $150,000. The jury awarded plaintiff $16,000, which was about $10,000 below the last pre-trial settlement offer from the defense.

On May 9, 2017, Adam Smith obtained a defense verdict in DeKalb County.  The defendant admitted fault for causing a rear-end motor vehicle accident.  The plaintiff incurred medical expenses in the amount of $60,989 for neck and back injuries and asked the jury to award more than $180,000 in total damages.  After deliberating for approximately 30 minutes, the jury found that the accident did not cause any injuries to the plaintiff and returned a defense verdict

On May 8, 2017, Alex Mayfield tried a case to jury verdict in Fulton County. Plaintiff alleged neck and back injuries from the accident. Pre-suit, plaintiff was offered $7,500, respectively to settle his claim. After deliberating for thirty (30) minutes, the jury awarded $5,500, significantly less than the plaintiff’s last demand of $35,000.