Bloomington, Minn. (PRWEB) September 2, 2009 — Rich Ruohonen, TSR Injury Law partner and Minnesota Super Lawyer, represented a woman named Sabina Babaca for injuries suffered in a car crash near Barron, Wisconsin, on October 7, 2005.
According to court records, Babaca was a passenger in her husband’s vehicle being driven on Highway 8. Her husband attempted to pass a vehicle, in a legal passing zone. A truck pulled out onto the highway into his path causing an immediate collision.
Ms. Babaca had to be extricated by emergency personnel. It is on record that she suffered a left radial arm fracture requiring open reduction internal fixation with the use of a plate and 6 screws. The fracture caused a mild radial nerve injury resulting in ongoing pain. She also sustained a shoulder soft tissue injury on the same side.
The record reflects that Babaca incurred approximately $100,000 in medical bills and wage loss, most of which were paid by no-fault. The defendant offered $85,000 to settle this case prior to trial. The offer was declined by Babaca and Ruohonen, sending the case to trial. (Sabina Babaca v. Adam’s Automotive, Inc., David Adams and Erie Insurance Exchange, Case No. 08 CV 23)
The defendant’s insurance company, Erie Insurance, hired an accident reconstruction expert to testify at trial. Court records show that during cross examination, Ruohonen was able to get the following strategic admissions from this expert:
- that Mr. Babaca was not speeding at the time of the collision
- that by the time Adams pulled out it was too late for Mr. Babaca to stop to avoid the collision
- that Mr. Adam’s was not fully in the lane upon impact (demonstrating Mr. Adams had just pulled out at the time of the collision)
Rich Ruohonen, with co-counsel Mark Yira of Yira Law Offices, pointed out numerous different medical records, photographs of bruising, and other injury evidence supporting ongoing pain. Additionally, the doctor who did the initial surgery at Eau Claire Hospital, Dr. Leland Meyer, and an ongoing pain management doctor, Dr. Paul Biewen, testified on behalf of Ms. Babaca.
It is on record that the jury found 75% fault on Adams and 25% fault on Mr. Babaca. The jury awarded $80,723.71 in past medical expenses, $19,440 in past wages, $80,000 in past pain and suffering, and $36,800 in future medical expenses. The total verdict was $216,163.71. Erie Insurance paid $162,122.7 (75% of the verdict) plus an additional amount for costs and interest owed.
The total paid was approximately double the final offer made by Erie Insurance prior to trial. This is believed to be one of the largest Plaintiff’s verdicts in Barron County, Wisconsin in several years.
TSR Injury Law
7760 France Ave South
Suite 820
Bloomington, MN 55435
www.tsrinjurylaw.com
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