Plaintiff suffered neck strain in chain-reaction interstate crash — $600,000 settlement

Type of action: Auto accident

Injuries alleged: Neck strain and mild traumatic brain injury

Name of case: Hammond v. Duke

Court: Virginia Beach Circuit Court

Case no.: CL19-2537

Tried before: Mediation

Name of judge or mediator: Judge Thomas Shadrick (Ret.)

Date resolved: 7/6/2021

Special damages: Medical bills totaling $94,000; lost wages totaling $70,000

Demand: $1,500,000

Verdict or settlement: Settlement

Amount: $600,000

Attorney for plaintiff (and city): Carlton F. Bennett, Virginia Beach

Description of case: Plaintiff’s pickup truck was stopped on I-264 West. Two cars were stopped behind him when defendant drove his work van into the second car stopped behind plaintiff at 40 mph, causing a chain reaction. Plaintiff’s truck suffered minor damages and his repair bill was $3,586.59. Plaintiff did not complain of injury at the scene and was diagnosed two days later at the emergency room with a neck strain. The defendant disputed the plaintiff’s claim of loss of earning capacity and his claim of a traumatic brain injury.

[021-T-100]