Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
(Please note: the names and locations of all parties have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the participants in this brain injury/personal injury case and its proceedings.)
GENERAL DAMAGES
As a result of his injuries Paul has experienced severe pain and suffering and emotional distress. Paul was nearly killed on the scene as he suffered a severe skull fracture and brain hemorrhage, multiple broken ribs, spleen and liver lacerations, internal bleeding, and collapsed lung. Paul endured nine days in critical care, and continued to have pain and suffering well into his recovery. Paul continues to have complaints of periodic headaches and pains in the area where he fractured multiple ribs. The large scar on his head, and facial palsy further add to the suffering experienced by this young man after the automobile collision.
As a result of his brain injury, Paul has lost all motivation and shows signs of depression and anger. Paul often sleeps throughout an entire day, and it is frequently difficult for him to pull himself out of bed. Prior to the collision, Paul was an energetic, enthusiastic, and kind young boy. Now, he does not express himself, does not communicate well with others, and becomes angry and frustrated very easily. In short, Paul has become a different person all together.
As a 14-year-old with a brain injury, Paul’s social development has been stunted. For the most part, Paul has been in homeschool programs since the collision which have further contributed to this isolation. Paul’s prime years of high-school have been taken away from him, and he will never be able to make up this lost ground.
Paul’s future is uncertain, but there is no doubt that he will forever be limited in terms of what he will be able to accomplish. For the rest of his life Paul will experience the emotional distress of living with a traumatic brain injury.
SETTLEMENT DISCUSSIONS
The parties have conducted an initial mediation with Michael White. On March 6, 2008, the parties had a meaningful Mandatory Settlement Conference with Judge Jones. There have been ongoing informal settlement discussions, and a second Settlement Conference with Judge Jones is set on April 7, 2008.
For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.