In February 2017, 21-year-old Tanya* was a passenger in a Pizza Hut employee’s vehicle when the employee negligently caused a T-bone collision with another vehicle. As a result of the collision, Tanya suffered permanent injuries to her neck and back. She would permanently be plagued by the pain of herniated discs in her neck and lower back because of the negligence of the Pizza Hut driver. Doctors referred Tanya to pain management, where she underwent epidural injections in her neck and lower back, as well as neck facet injections.
Tanya did her best to continue to work after the crash even though her pain would significantly worsen by the end of the day, leaving her in intense agony. Distressed and suffering from the excruciating pain, Tanya knew she needed help. She contacted the team at Coker Law to assist her in getting help for medical bills, pain and future procedures. Attorney Fraz Ahmed knew the case would be time-consuming and multi-faceted because NPC International, the largest Pizza Hut franchisee in the world, was trying to escape liability. However, Ahmed and the Coker Law team would not rest until Tanya received justice through trial.
Coker Law Anticipates NPC International’s Defense
After the crash, Tanya was hired by a company with which she hoped to have a long career. She was fearful that taking so much time off for medical treatments would jeopardize her new job, so she did not follow up for medical care for an 11-month period. The defense used that lapse in treatment time against her, claiming her injuries were not that severe. However, the Coker Law team was able to show the jury that Tanya was fearful of losing her new job, and that the last injections she received to her neck and lower back made her pain tolerable for a period of time. Coker law also showed the jury that Tanya would need more medical treatments to continue to relieve her pain.
Not only was the Coker Law team able to show the jury how Tanya’s permanent injuries affected her on a daily basis, but was also able to successfully anticipate every defense excuse NPC International would use at trial. The team effort from the trial attorneys, paralegals and legal assistants, along with their extensive trial experience, led to a positive outcome for Tanya.
Each team member brings different perspectives and insight to every case, which allows them to anticipate and prepare for any possibility that may occur during trial.
Victim Receives $1.6 Million From Jury
Thanks to the efforts of the team at Coker Law, the jury sided with Tanya and found that her injuries would impact her health and well-being for the rest of her life, awarding her $1,667,000. Through the unique team approach utilized by Coker Law and their determination for justice, the jury was able to see through NPC International’s attempts at denying liability for the negligence of their employee.
“The Coker Law trial team put in endless hours due to NPC International, Inc.’s many attempts to escape liability,” said Ahmed. “We would not rest for Tanya, who was only 21 years old at the time of the crash and had her health permanently taken away from her.”
Case Title: Tanya* vs. NPC International, Inc.
Attorneys/Staff Involved In The Case: Attorneys Fraz Ahmed, Janeen Kirsch, David Thompson, Paralegal Laura Page, and Legal Assistant Kelly Anderson
Date of Jury Verdict: July 17, 2019
Amount of Jury Verdict: $1,667,000.00
*Name has been changed to protect client privacy.
IF YOU’RE INVOLVED IN A CRASH, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
Coker Law cautions all drivers to be careful. But if you are injured by a negligent driver, speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. You may qualify to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and other expenses related to your injuries. To speak with Coker Law Attorney Fraz Ahmed, or for more information, call (904) 356-6071 or click here to schedule a free consultation.
