Woman rear-ended on I-81 – $1 million settlement

On April 7, 2017, Autumn Sambrano was a passenger in a 1990 Ford Econoline van traveling north on Interstate 81 in Botetourt County. The van had just exited a construction zone and was gaining speed when it was rear-ended by a 2015 Freightliner tractor-trailer.

The plaintiff was transported by air to Roanoke Memorial Hospital where she was hospitalized for approximately two weeks. She underwent a left decompressive craniotomy, evacuation of subdural hemorrhage, and placement of an external ventricular drain. She developed serious complications including MRSA. The plaintiff was then transported to the University of Michigan Hospital and Health Center for further inpatient care and both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. At the time of her injury she was a Michigan resident.

The liability carrier offered their policy limits three months before trial with little discovery undertaken. Plaintiff’s net proceeds from the settlement were used to fund a structure which supplemented lifetime Personal Injury Protection benefits afforded plaintiff under Michigan law. The structured settlement placement was handled by Ron Feinman of One World Structured Settlement Design.

Type of action: Personal Injury, Brain Injury

Injuries alleged: Left sided subdural hematoma

Name of case: Lynnette Snyder, Guardian and Conservator for Autumn Sambrano v. Finkle IV Freight and Logistics Inc., et al

Court: Botetourt Circuit Court

Verdict or settlement: Settlement

Amount: $1,000,000

Attorney for plaintiff: John C. Shea, Richmond

Plaintiff’s experts: Dr. Lisa S. Apfel – Neurosurgeon, Roanoke; Dr. Katie L. Bower – Critical Care Surgeon, Roanoke; Dr. Ryan P. Stork – Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ann Arbor, MI