Rear-End Auto Accident; Admitted Negligence Style of Case: Christopher Klein v. Gitaben Shah Client: Gitaben Shah Trial End Date: 9/9/2008 Court: Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court, St. Clair County, Illinois Type of Case: Personal Injury Auto Judge: The Honorable Lloyd Cueto Reed Armstrong Lawyer who tried the case: Dominique N. Seymoure Jury Verdict On April 8, 2004, the plaintiff was stopped waiting to turn right onto Central School Road near its intersection with Illinois Route 159 in Belleville, Illinois, when the defendant, directly behind the plaintiff, failed to stop and hit the rear of the plaintiff’s vehicle. At trial, the defendant admitted she was negligent. The plaintiff claimed injuries to his neck, shoulders and low back causing him to incur medical bills totaling $26,026.96, which included chiropractic treatment, diagnostic testing, and epidural steroid injections. The defendant presented evidence that the plaintiff had a 9-plus year history of neck and low back problems and complaints caused by pre-existing degenerative disease in the joints and discs in his spine. The defendant also presented evidence that the pre-existing degenerative diseases in the plaintiff’s spine caused the complaints and treatment the plaintiff sought after the April 2004 accident. The plaintiff asked the jury for a verdict ranging from $89,000 to $110,000 comprising his medical bills, lost wages of $6533.60, $50,000 to $70,000 in pain and suffering and $6533.60 for disability. The jury returned a verdict for the defendant. Additional Information Last Demand: $50,000 Verdict: Defense Verdict     © 2002 Reed, Armstrong, Gorman, Mudge & Morrissey