Facts

Donald Goodner filed a lawsuit against Jeffrey Putnam in relation to a motor vehicle accident.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
On March 23, 2010, plaintiff, a police officer, was riding his police motorcycle and pulled over a pickup truck, which defendant was driving. Plaintiff claimed that defendant backed up his pickup truck into plaintiff, while plaintiff was getting off of the motorcycle, negligently hitting him to the ground.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
Defendant argued that plaintiff did not turn on his lights or sirens, and that plaintiff moved too closely to his truck, which made it so that defendant could not actually observe plaintiff's location. Defendant also argued that plaintiff's injuries were not as severe as claimed, and that his injuries were connected to a back injury he had suffered before.

Settlement Discussions

Plaintiff demanded $40,000 and the defense offered $20,000.

Damages

Plaintiff asked for $7,963 in stipulated past medical expenses, $15,000 in future medical expense and $55,000 for pain and suffering.

Injuries

Goodner suffered injuries to his lower back and exacerbation of a degenerative disc condition. He received chiropractic treatment.

Result

The jury's verdict granted plaintiff $65,205.83.

Other Information

FILING DATE: Feb. 21, 2012.

Deliberation

half day

Poll

8-0

Length

two days