Las Vegas, Nevada — Powell Law Group client Barbara Maynes received a verdict of $4.23 Million following a two-week trial. Ms. Maynes suffered from neck and back injuries since 2004 when the defendant ran a red light, crashing into Ms. Maynes’ Monte Carlo. Ms. Maynes ultimately underwent lumbar fusion surgery and will require additional medical care. Her medical bills at the time of trial were $275,000. The case was tried by PLG attorneys Paul Powell, Kevin Sprenz, and Leah Martin.
“This was a case that never should have made it to litigation,” Powell said. “The defendant had just $15,000 in insurance coverage, but the insurance company refused to pay the policy limits in the claims stage. The case should have settled within two months of the accident. The insurance company essentially forced the case forward in hopes of saving a few dollars. That strategy really backfired.”
Defense attorneys Kurt Harris and Michael Merritt argued at trial that Ms. Maynes injuries were pre-existing and not caused by the defendant — even though Ms. Maynes had no back or neck injuries before the accident. Defense counsel also alleged that Ms. Maynes illegally sped through a red light causing the accident. This testimony was contrary to three different witnesses at the scene, who all said that Ms. Maynes’ light was green at the time of the crash, and that the defendant ran the red light.
The trial was overseen by the Honorable Kathleen Delaney of the Eighth Judicial District Court.