March 2026, Los Angeles. In an admitted liability matter, the plaintiff alleged that our insured, a 17-year-old driver, negligently exited a parking lot and T-boned her vehicle. As a result of the accident, the plaintiff claimed to have sustained an acute L5-S1 disc herniation, along with other soft-tissue injuries. She further alleged that the herniation caused ongoing pain, numbness, and tingling radiating into her left leg.
Despite completing a course of conservative treatment and undergoing multiple epidural steroid injections, the plaintiff asserted that her symptoms persisted and significantly interfered with her daily life.
During closing arguments, the plaintiff sought nearly $700,000 in damages. The defense recommended an award of $12,000 for past medical expenses and $5,000 for past pain and suffering. Ultimately, the jury largely adopted the defense’s position, awarding $12,746 in past medical expenses, $0 for future medical expenses, $20,000 for past pain and suffering, and $0 for future pain and suffering.