Steve O’Hara Wins Defense Verdict (Zero Verdict)

On October 17, 2013, a jury in Duval County, Florida, returned a complete defense verdict (zero verdict) in favor of our client, the defendant, on the issue of causation. The plaintiff was a 47-year-old woman who sued our client, alleging neck, back, and right shoulder injuries culminating in right shoulder surgery. She claimed medical expenses in excess of $180,000. Our client admitted fault (negligence) for rear-ending the plaintiff, and we defended on the issue of causation. We presented evidence that the plaintiff was claiming the same problems she had claimed for the last 10 to 19 years due to other accidents and a very physical work life. We also presented evidence that the claimed medical expenses were unreasonable, excessive, and unrelated to the accident in question.