Michael Bowen v. State Farm Insurance Company, et al.
Court: Anne Arundel County Circuit Court
Case Number: C-98-47630 MT
Proceedings: Jury Trial
Judge: The Honorable Judge Caroom
Outcome: Jury returned plaintiff verdict
Incident Date: September 18, 1997
Filing Date: June, 1998
Disposition Date: April 6, 2001
Plaintiff: Michael Bowen
Plaintiff Attorney: Richard L. Jaklitsch (Law Office of Richard L. Jaklitsch)
Defendant: State Farm Insurance Company, et al.
Defense Attorney: Patrick A. Ferris, Esq. (H. Barritt Peterson & Associates)
Injury Claimed: Neck and back
Description of Injury: Headaches, neck and back
Amount Sought: Last Demand - $40,000
Settlement Offered: $25,000 primary policy, $2,000 underinsured
Award: $55,079.78
Location of incident: West Street, Annapolis, Maryland
Case Information: Plaintiff was rear-ended. At fault party paid $25,000 policy limits, so Plaintiff sued underinsured carrier, after subrogation waiver. Plaintiff had five prior accidents (three involved neck injury), a prior herniated cervical disc and a primary permanency rating to the neck, but claimed $100,839.78 in medicals from this accident, a worsening of his prior neck injury and claimed the need to switch from his plumbing job to a less physical job as a painter. Jury awarded $11,839.78 in medicals, $5,760 in past wages, $25,000 in future wages and $12,480 in pain and suffering.