New Jersey Verdicts
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Amount:
$3,350,000
Type:
Verdict-Plaintiff
State:
New Jersey
Venue:
Hudson County
Court:
Hudson County Superior Court
Injury Type(s):
neck-herniated disc (herniated disc at C5-6), cervical (herniated disc at C5-6);
other-chiropractic
Case Type:
Motor Vehicle – Rear-ender, Multiple Impact, Multiple Vehicle
Case Name:
Felix Del Sol–Gonzales v. Santos Flores and Demetrio Flores,
No. HUD-L-1390-15
Date:
July 20, 2017
Plaintiff(s):
Felix Del Sol–Gonzales (Male, 47 Years)
Plaintiff Attorney(s):
Marvin R. Walden Jr.;
Greenberg, Walden & Grossman, LLC;
West New York,
NJ,
for
Felix Del Sol–Gonzales
Plaintiff Expert(s):
John Athas; M.D.; Neuroradiology; Paramus,
NJ called by:
Marvin R. Walden Jr. ■ Ravi Tikoo; M.D; Neurology; North Bergen,
NJ called by:
Marvin R. Walden Jr. ■ Joseph Mezyk; D.O.; Chiropractic; West New York,
NJ called by:
Marvin R. Walden Jr. ■ Teofilo Dauhajre; M.D.; Orthopedic Surgery; West New York,
NJ called by:
Marvin R. Walden Jr.
Defendant(s):
Santos Flores,
Demetrio Flores
Defense Attorney(s):
Salvatore Iacopelli;
Law Offices of Pamela D. Hargrove;
Cranford,
NJ,
for
Santos Flores, Demetrio Flores
Insurer(s):
Allstate Insurance Co. for Santos Flores and Demetrio Flores
On April 18, 2013, plaintiff Felix Del Sol–Gonzales, 47, a trucker’s helper, was traveling on the Bergen Turnpike in North Bergen. While stopped behind another vehicle, Del Sol–Gonzales was struck from behind by an automobile driven by Santos Flores. The impact caused Del Sol–Gonzales to strike a stationary vehicle ahead of him. He claimed a neck injury. Del Sol–Gonzales sued Flores, alleging he had been negligent. He alleged the owner of the vehicle, Demetrio Flores, was vicariously liable. Liability was stipulated and the matter continued to an expedited trial to determine damages only.
Del Sol–Gonzales was taken by ambulance to the emergency room of Palisades General Hospital, with complaints of neck pain. He was treated and released. Del Sol–Gonzales was ultimately diagnosed with a herniation at cervical intervertebral disc C5-6. He treated with conservative chiropractic care for five months. Although he was recommended for surgery, he declined further treatment. He complains of residual neck pain. The defendants disputed the nature and extent of Del Sol–Gonzales‘ injuries. The defense’s expert orthopedic surgeon testified that he did not believe he sustained permanent traumatic injuries, and any disc herniation was due to pre-existing degeneration.
The jury found in favor of Del Sol–Gonzales. He was awarded $3,350,000 in damages.
Felix Del Sol–Gonzales: $850,000 Personal Injury: Future Medical Cost; $2,500,000 Personal Injury: Past Pain And Suffering
Judge:
Joseph A. Turula
Demand:
none reported
Offer:
$20,000
Trial Length:
2
days
Trial Deliberations:
2
hours
Jury Vote:
unknown
Jury Composition:
unknown
This report is based on information that was provided by plaintiff’s counsel. Defense counsel did not respond to the reporter’s phone calls.