Collin D. Shellenberger

Arthur Harrison v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company; Cause No. D-193-810 in the 136th District Court of Jefferson County, Texas.  Plaintiff asserted an underinsured motorist claim against his insurance company after the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier settled with him for the full amount of the driver’s liability insurance policy.  Plaintiff claimed the accident caused the need for neck surgery and for him to be permanently disabled.  The parties had competing experts on whether the accident caused a need for the neck surgery.  Plaintiff claimed over $100,000 in past medical, and he requested $460,370 in damages.  State Farm argued that the accident caused a soft tissue neck injury (at most) and asked that the award be limited to no more than $21,500.  Defense victory.  The Court determined that Plaintiff sustained $21,500 in total damages.  However, because of credits/offsets, a Take Nothing Judgment was rendered and Plaintiff recovered nothing from State Farm.

Natasha Southwell v. Julie Ebarb; Cause Number 33458 in the District Court of Jasper County, Texas.  Automobile/Pedestrian accident with contested liability.  Plaintiff claimed that right leg injuries caused by the accident resolved within one month, but that a left knee injury needed surgical repair.  Her treating orthopedic surgeon recommended that she undergo surgery on the left knee, and he testified at trial that the accident caused the need for the left knee surgery.  Plaintiff had just over $16,000 in past recoverable medical.  At trial, Plaintiff asked the jury to award her $95,000 in damages.  Defense verdict.  The jury found Plaintiff 49% responsible for the accident and awarded her $10,750 in damages (and no damages for the alleged left knee injury).  Her recovery was reduced to $5,482.00 due to the comparative negligence finding.  Prior to trial, Defendant’s insurance carrier offered $18,500 to settle the case; however, Plaintiff would not negotiate below $49,500.

Jodi Robinson v. Lisa Buchanan; Cause No. 123,362, in the County Court at Law Number 1 of Jefferson County, Texas.  Plaintiff claimed neck, back, and shoulder injuries resulting from a rear-end accident in Beaumont.  Defense verdict – the jury awarded less than the offer made many months before trial.

Leonard Gerald Duplantis v. Paul James and Ann James; Civil Action No. 9:13-CV-0056 in the United States District Court Eastern District, Lufkin Division.  Chapter 95 – Premises Liability/Personal Injury case.  Past recoverable medical of $111,000 for a cervical fusion.  Plaintiff alleged that he struck his head on scaffolding on Defendants’ property causing injuries.  Defendants denied that the incident occurred.  Defendants also argued that even if the incident had occurred, they would not be responsible for the incident and that the need for a cervical fusion could not stem from the type of injury alleged.  Plaintiff asked the jury to award $446,000.  The jury returned a defense verdict on liability.

Michele Mumford v. Dylan Michael Prejean; Cause No. D-189,684 in the 136th Judicial District Court of Jefferson County, Texas. Automobile/personal injury case.  Past recoverable medical of $120,000 for a two-level lumbar fusion with no pre-accident history of lumbar problems   Plaintiff’s treating doctor testified that since she continued to have pain years after the surgery and that she needed an intra-thecal narcotic pump that would cost $1,300,000 over her lifetime.  Plaintiff asked the jury to award $3.2 million (Plaintiff claimed that carrier was “Stowerized”).  Defense verdict.

Cecelia Dianne Hardy v. Thomas Ernest Broadus; Cause No. B-183,001 in the 60th Judicial District Court of Jefferson County, Texas.  Automobile/personal injury case. Defendant stipulated to liability.  Defense verdict.

Candyis Calvin, Individually and as Next Friend of Kendrick Calvin and Kaylon Johnson, Aubrey Williams, and Dorothy Johnson v. Joseph Brown; Cause No. 115,684 in the County Court at Law No. 1 of Jefferson County, Texas.  Automobile/personal injury case; liability dispute (swearing match on which vehicle had the red light).  One of the minor Plaintiffs sustained a fracture of the spine.  Plaintiffs asked for several hundred thousand dollars combined.  Defense verdict on liability.

Lionel Green v. Wanda Hutchison; Cause No. E-183,401 in the 172nd Judicial District Court of Jefferson County, Texas.  Automobile/personal injury case.  Clear liability rear-end collision.  Defense verdict; the jury verdict was less than half of the pre-trial offer.

Renee Michelle Hollier v. Kevin Alan Lavine and Meagan Osborne, a Minor; Cause No. D-179,822 in the 136th Judicial District Court of Jefferson County, Texas.  Co-lead counsel.  Automobile/Wrongful death case.  Defense verdict.  Plaintiff asked for $1.9 million at trial.  Jury verdict of $57,500.00.

Henry Wisrodt v. Marcus Castille; Cause No. B-179,344 in the 60th Judicial District Court of Jefferson County, Texas.  Automobile/personal injury case; clear liability rear-end collision.  Defense verdict.  Plaintiff asked for $50,000.00 at trial.  Jury verdict of $3,450.00.

Carolyn Gordy v. Jessica Louise Lovelace, et al; Cause No. E-172,444 in the 172nd Judicial District Court of Jefferson County, Texas.  Automobile/personal injury case; clear liability rear-end collision.  Defense verdict.  Plaintiff asked for $75,000.00 at trial.  Jury verdict of $4,548.00.

Amy Perry v. Arthur Abbage, Jr.; Cause No. D-178,119 in the 136th Judicial District Court of Jefferson County, Texas; Automobile/personal injury and property damage case.  Defense verdict on liability.