Settlement - Miscarriage/Motor Vehicle Accident
Lori A. Vanderlaan and Mathew K. Hargrave
May 2014
Lori Vanderlaan and Mathew Hargrave obtained a favorable settlement in favor of commercial vehicle owner and operator in a case alleging a rear-end motor vehicle accident caused Plaintiff’s miscarriage.
Plaintiff registered nurse, Plaintiff U.S. Navy serviceman, and their young son were riding in a minivan that was allegedly rear-ended by a commercial vehicle while stopped at a traffic light. Each plaintiff described the impact as heavy, violent, and at high speed. The force of the impact caused Plaintiffs’ vehicle to lurch forward and strike the vehicle in front of it, which in turn struck the vehicle in front of it. In addition to claimed injuries to all three Plaintiffs and medical bills of approximately $25,000, Plaintiff nurse was 15 weeks pregnant claimed the impact caused her miscarriage which occurred the day following the accident. Due in part to pre-suit investigation and workup, the case was settled for just over 1/3 of the $1 million policy after the depositions of the Plaintiffs and a pre-natal nurse seen by Plaintiff, but before any other depositions were taken in the case.