Personal Injury News

Spinal Cord Personal Injury Cases Less than 10,000 Awarded for Cervical/Lumbar Strains from Vehicular Accidents

A recent Jury Verdict Research(r) analysis revealed that the median compensatory award for overall cervical/lumbar strains resulting from vehicular liability cases is 7,000. The study analyzed award medians for other specific liability groups within the vehicular liability category, highlighted below:

The analysis of cervical/lumbar strains includes only cases of strains, sprains, flexion/extension or soft tissue injuries in the area of the upper seven vertebrae, the neck region, and the five vertebrae of the lower back. Cases of fractures, spinal nerve damage, disc injuries and injuries to other areas of the back were excluded from this analysis. The study examined award data for the years 1995 through 2001.

The study revealed that vehicular accidents were the cause of 96 percent of the cervical/lumbar strain injury cases. Of these vehicular cases, the breakdown among more specific liabilities is shown in the following table:

Vehicular Liability % of Total

Rear-end Collisions45%

Intersection Collisions17%

Turning Collisions7%

Chain-Reaction Collisions5%

Passenger Suits4%

Broadside Collisions3%

Of the nonvehicular liability claims, premises liability cases were the most prevalent, accounting for 64 percent of the total, while business negligence comprised another 24 percent. The medians for nonvehicular liability claims are the following:

Nonvehicular Liability Award Median

Premises Liability17,808

Business Negligence60,000

Overall20,000

In addition, the study looked at overall award data for cervical and lumbar strains from all liability groups and among specific age groups. The yearly trend and age breakdowns for cervical/lumbar strains can be seen in the tables below:

Cervical/Lumbar Strains - Award Median

19957,500

19967,000

19976,872

19987,621

19997,140

20007,932

20017,737

Overall7,379

AgeAward Median

18 & under3,815

19 - 398,008

40 - 598,418

60 & older8,598

Statistical information contained within this article was obtained from the recently released analysis 2002 Current Award Trends in Personal Injury. The analysis is part of the nine-volume Personal Injury Valuation Handbooks, published by Jury Verdict Research(r). For more information, visit www.juryverdictresearch.com or call (800) 341-7874, Ext. 338.

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