Darren White* was stuck in traffic on Interstate 95 in Duval County, Florida on Thursday, March 31, 2011. He had two of his children in the car with him, his daughters Debbie* and Kayla White*. A truck driver for Spa Crest Manufacturing, Inc., was hauling a trailer when he failed to stop for the traffic and plowed into the back of the Whites’ car.
Darren, Kayla, and Debbie were all injured from the brute force of the impact. Debbie’s pain wouldn’t go away and three years later it was determined that her injuries would result in permanent damage to her spine.
Sisters Granted Their Own Injury Claims
Coker Law filed a negligence complaint against Spa Crest Manufacturing, Inc., and then several amended complaints which also clarified that as a result of Debbie and Kayla White reaching the age of eighteen, they were plaintiffs in their own right, with their own independent claims. The trial court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for separate trials.
Jury Awards $1.4 Million For Injuries
Spa Crest Manufacturing, Inc., eventually admitted that its driver was negligent in causing the collision and that it was responsible for his negligence, but it denied that Debbie White’s losses, injuries, or damages were permanent and disputed the extent of damages. A jury didn’t agree with Spa Crest Manufacturing, Inc.’s claims and it returned a verdict in favor of Debbie White, reimbursing her for her past medical expenses and agreed she would struggle with her injuries and pain for the rest of her life. It awarded Debbie more than $1,400,000. After the verdict, the insurance company settled Darren and Kayla’s claims.
“It was wonderful to be able to work on this young lady’s case and get a verdict that allows her to get the treatment she will need in the years ahead,” said Coker Law partner, Dan Iracki.
*names have been changed for privacy
Case Title: Debbie White v. Spa Crest Manufacturing, Inc.
Attorneys/Staff involved in the case: Dan Iracki, Howard Coker, Janeen Kirch, Aaron Sprague (Attorneys). Leigh-Anne Morrill (Paralegal), Evie Jackson (Trial Coordinator), Yelena Chizik (Trial Presentation/Technology).
Referring attorney: Dexter Davis and Amber Williams (Paralegal).
Date of Jury Verdict: 2/9/18
Amount of Jury Verdict: $1,400,000+
