Amanda Goulet v. Edegar Liguori et al. (2013)

MEMORANDUM OF DECISION

The plaintiff, Amanda Goulet, was injured in a rear-end motor vehicle collision on April 21, 2011.   She sued the other operator, Edegar Liquori (“the defendant”), and the owner of the car, Sergio Liquori.   The case was tried to the court on November 20, 2013.

The collision took place on Kenosia Avenue in Danbury at about 4:30 P.M. The plaintiff stopped her car in a line of traffic at a traffic light at the intersection of Backus Avenue and was hit from behind by the car driven by the defendant.   The plaintiff's car was pushed into the rear of the next car in line.   Both collisions were caused by the negligence of the defendant in following the plaintiff's car too closely and in failing to keep a proper lookout and to stop before hitting the plaintiff's car.

As a result of the negligence of Mr. Liquori, the plaintiff suffered a bruise of her knee and strains of her cervical and lumbar spine.   An MRI was unremarkable for injury or degeneration.   Her treatment has been diagnostic except for a short period of chiropractic care and prescription medications for inflammation and pain.   She continues to experience occasional pain in her low back which she treats with a heating pad and with Advil or the like.   She avoids lifting heavy objects and has turned over some of the housework to her husband.   She is careful to avoid physically demanding activities when on vacation.   She is 33 years old, has a stipulated life expectancy of 48.9 years and never had any previous back or neck symptoms or treatment.   Her orthopedist has opined that she has a 5% permanent impairment due to her lumbar injury.

As a result of the negligence of Mr. Liquori, the plaintiff incurred reasonable and necessary medical expenses of $4,626.81 The parties stipulated that there will be a collateral source offset of $2,581.18.

The court finds the issues for the plaintiff and finds the following damages:

Economic Damages:  $ 4,626.81

Collateral Source Offset:  ($ 2,581.18)

Non–Economic Damages:  $22,000.00

Total Damages:  $24,045.63

BY THE COURT,

John W. Pickard, J.

Pickard, John W., J.