Rear-ender, MIST, lower-back sprains. $32K. Los Angeles County.

Gross Verdict or Award: $32,000
Economic Damages: Past medical: $7,000&nbsp; Future medical: $4,000&nbsp;
Non-Economic Damages: Past: $21,000&nbsp; Future: $0
Trial or Arbitration Time: 3 days.
Jury Deliberation Time: 4 hours.

Summary

Slowing down for speed bump results in rear-ender.

Attorney for the Plaintiff:
Bisnar Chase by Tom G. Antunovich, Newport Beach.
Attorney for the Defendant:
Doherty & Catlow by Brian Neill, Los Angeles.

Plaintiff’s Medical Expert(s):
Kendall Wagner, M.D., orthopedic surgery, Fullerton.
Defendant's Medical Expert(s):
Barry Ludwig, M.D., neurology, Los Angeles.

Hillel Sperling, M.D., spinal surgery, Tarzana.
Defendant's Technical Expert(s):
Dan Trudell, accident reconstruction, Valencia.

Facts and Background:
On the evening of April 18, 2015, Michelle Brandstetter was driving home from dinner with her fiancé. As she approached a speed bump she slowed and was rear-ended by Bryan Williams.

The next day plaintiff went to Kaiser where she was diagnosed with a low back sprain. She continued with treatment for her lower back at Kaiser on and off for approximately three years. MRI of lower back was taken in Dec. 2017 and was normal. No EMG/NCV test was performed.
Plaintiff's Contentions:
That as a result of the subject incident, plaintiff suffered a lumbosacral sprain/strain with probable L5 radiculopathy.
Defendant's Contentions:
That plaintiff's injuries should have resolved within six to seven weeks and there was no evidence of radiculopathy because the MRI was normal. Defense expert Dan Trudell testified the impact was delta V, 5.3 - 6.7 mph.

Physical Injuries claimed by Plaintiff:
Lumbosacral sprain/strain with radiculopathy.