$388,000.00 After a two-week trial, James R. Lewis won a $388,702.20 jury verdict for a client who was injured when his stopped vehicle was struck from behind by large pick-up. Our client was just 24 when he was struck by a full-sized pick-up. His driver’s seat was dislodged from the tracks, and the seat back collapsed and twisted. He underwent chiropractic treatment, physical therapy, acupuncture, traction, trigger point injection, MRI and epidural steroid injection, none of which resolved his low back pain. Two MRIs revealed a 1-2 mm protrusion at L5-S1. A renowned spine surgeon offered a discectomy and fusion but our client declined because he was fearful of surgery. Before he was hit, our client managed and worked in his family’s hay sales business, but on doctor’s orders following the collision, he was never able to return, and the business eventually closed 16 months after the collision. Our client’s past lost earnings were $26,114. Past stipulated medical expenses were $33,084.29. We also sought compensation for the recommended surgery. We suggested the jury award an additional $325,000 in past and future general damages, given the conservative jury pool and the large economic damages. The insurance company’s in-house lawyer suggested the jury award $13,200 for six months past lost earnings, plus medical expenses of $33,084.29 and award $10,000 total in general damages for a total of $56,284.29. Before trial, we offered to settle the case for $350,000.00. After two weeks of trial, the jury awarded $361,200.29 . Since the verdict was more than we offered to settle for, the insurance company had to pay an additional $27,501.91 (interest and expert costs), for a total recovery of $388,702.20. While associated with a former law firm.