Rear End Auto; Admitted Negligence; Lumbar Disc Style of Case: Betty Eckhardt v. Victoria Mettler & Community Care Systems Client: Victoria Mettler & Community Care Systems Trial End Date: 4/5/2007 Court: Third Judicial Circuit Court, Madison County, Illinois Type of Case: Rear End Auto; Admitted Negligence; Lumbar Disk Rupture Judge: The Honorable Barbara Crowder Reed Armstrong Lawyer who tried the case: William B. Starnes II Jury Verdict Plaintiff claimed permanent exacerbation of pre-existing Parkinson’s Disease and ruptured lumbar vertebral disk from a rear-end auto accident. Defendant admitted negligence. Plaintiff incurred medical bills of $9,750.34. The defense presented medical causation evidence and arguments that that the disk did not rupture until well after the motor vehicle accident, and that there is no scientific evidence that a permanent exacerbation of Parkinson’s Disease can be caused by an automobile accident such as the one at issue. Plaintiff’s counsel “recommended” a total verdict of $121,000 for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering and loss of normal life. Plaintiff’s pre-trial settlement demand was $46,500. The jury returned a verdict for $33,750.34. Additional Information Last Demand: $46, 500 Verdict: $33,750.34 for Plaintiff     © 2002 Reed, Armstrong, Gorman, Mudge & Morrissey