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Chartwell Partner Patrick Heffron recently obtained a significant defense verdict following a three-day jury trial in the Lebanon County Court of Common Pleas involving a high-exposure commercial motor vehicle claim.
The case arose from allegations that a commercial motor vehicle rear-ended a stopped plaintiff at high speed. While liability was not contested, the dispute centered on damages. The plaintiff asserted permanent and life-altering injuries, including alleged spinal disorders, chronic pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, and anxiety and depression. She claimed she was unable to continue in her “dream job” due to pain and sought extensive compensation for economic and non-economic losses.
At trial, the plaintiff presented economic damage claims totaling approximately $1.6 million for alleged wage loss and loss of household services, along with projected pain and suffering damages calculated over a 50-year life expectancy. Pre-trial settlement demands reflected this claimed exposure.
Through focused and thorough cross-examination, and effective use of impeachment evidence, the defense challenged the credibility and scope of the plaintiff’s medical, vocational, and pain-and-suffering testimony. The jury ultimately declined to award any damages for pain and suffering and returned a verdict awarding only a small fraction of the economic damages claimed—an amount well below the plaintiff’s pre-trial settlement demand.
