Our client, a 26 year-old college physics student, who also worked as an actress, a model, and as an executive assistant, was hit by another car while in a NYC taxi. Our client’s head struck the plexiglass divider behind the driver’s seat. She was treated and released from the hospital, but continued to have headaches and cognitive difficulties. She returned to the hospital and was found to have slight bleeding of the brain and was admitted for four days for observation.
She returned to school and completed three more semesters, but continued to have problems in school understanding the professors. Her memory was diminished and she was unable to comprehend what she had read. She eventually was unable to complete her classes and lacks three courses to complete her degree. She has suffered with cognitive deficits, headaches, anxiety, depression, memory problems and confusion. She was accepted into the New York State Brain Injury Waiver program, so she has assistants come to her apartment three days per week to help her with shopping, cooking, cleaning, paying bills and laundry.
Plaintiff’s doctors said she developed a traumatic brain injury (TBI) known as the “silent epidemic” because its effects are not immediately obvious to a stranger. She returned to college but was unable to graduate due to inability to read or remember. She has tried to work several jobs, but has been unable to hold a job. Her doctors said she is permanently disabled and can’t work.
The jury awarded a total of $10.8 million dollars. This included $1.2 million in lost earnings, $6 million in future medical costs, $3.6 million in pain and suffering.
