Our client was critically injured while traveling as a passenger in a vehicle that struck a brick wall. G3 settled this claim for one million dollars.
READ CASE STUDYMr. Dale Phillips was a passenger in a vehicle traveling in Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee. The driver of Mr. Phillips’ vehicle attempted to make a left turn and accelerated rapidly, losing control of his vehicle and striking a brick wall.
Mr. Phillips, 23 years old, sustained injuries including, but not limited to, L2 – L3 Chance fractures, L4 compression fracture, concussion, loss of consciousness, left ankle injury as well as a descending colon hematoma. He required a spinal fusion at L1 through L5 as well as an open reduction internal fixation of L3 burst fracture and decompressive laminectomy and foraminotomy at L3. He was inpatient at UT Medical Center for six days and sustained a significant amount of pain and suffering as well as limitations of his daily activities.
*We used the pseudonym, Dale Phillips, to protect our client.*
We presented our client with our best recommendation: take the insurance company up on their offer to settle with the policy limit. Ms. Miller decided this was in her best interest, and received a monetary compensation of $100,000 to help cover her physical and financial struggles.
READ CASE STUDYMs. Sandra Miller* is a previous client of ours from Anderson County, Tennessee. One day, she was driving down a local road in her hometown when she noticed a vehicle following a bit too closely behind her. In what felt like the blink of an eye, Ms. Miller was reportedly struck by another motor vehicle while traveling southbound on Illinois Avenue at Badger Lane in Oak Ridge.
As traffic in front of her came to a stop, Ms. Miller started to slow down. That’s when the insured, Mr. Jeffery Blue, made a critical mistake. Both traveling southbound within the speed limit, Mr. Blue’s vehicle was tailing Ms. Miller’s vehicle closely enough to be cited for following improperly. As a result of the citation, it was made evident that Ms. Miller has no comparative fault in this matter.
We’ve all been there. When a vehicle follows too closely behind yours, it can be more than just irritating… It can be scary. Aside from a scare, Ms. Miller sustained harsh physical and financial blows from being rear-ended that day. Her physical injuries consisted of a lumbar sprain, lumbosacral radiculopathy, bulging and herniated disks, difficulty sleeping, difficulty with everyday physical tasks, weakness in both legs, and pain in the left leg and hip.
In addition, the accident between Mr. Blue and Ms. Miller left her unable to return to work, beginning the week of October 6th, 2018. Though the accident was at no fault of her own, she was unable to perform her duties at work and was left to struggle financially. That’s when we stepped in.
At G3 Help Me Law, we’re committed to getting every single one of our clients the settlement he or she deserves. In this case, a simple Google search led Ms. Miller to the G3 team. After reading through many 5-star reviews, she decided to give us a call. From the moment we met with Sandra we knew we could get her the money she deserved.
Using our extensive experience with motor vehicle accident cases, including countless rear-end accidents, we presented our client with our best recommendation: take the insurance company up on their offer to settle with the policy limit. Ms. Miller decided this was in her best interest, and received a monetary compensation of $100,000 to help cover her physical and financial struggles. This money allowed Ms. Miller to make up some of her lost wages and pay for medical bills that began stacking up after the accident.
The entire G3 team is glad to be able to play a role in helping Ms. Miller get the settlement she deserves. Our hope is that she continues safely on her road to making a full recovery— physically, emotionally, and financially.
*In order to ensure our clients receive the highest level of privacy and respect, we do not disclose their personal information. The name provided for this case study is a pseudonym.
Mr. Smith, was struck by a driver while on his bicycle, causing severe lower back pain and other injuries. Despite ongoing medical treatment, including physical therapy, he has been unable to resume his daily exercise routine. G3 demonstrated a genuine understanding of the physical, mental, and emotional toll the accident had on Mr. Smith and was able to get him a fair settlement.
READ CASE STUDYG3 settled Ms. White's case after a large, improperly secured piece of machinery fell off a driver's trailer on Highway 63, causing her to crash her car. Ms. White suffered injuries including muscle strain, neck issues, right-hand injury, severe arm burn, and other severe wounds. The monetary compensation she received helped cover her post-accident bills.
READ CASE STUDYUpon settlement discussions, the family of the defendant offered $100,000 in personal assets to help cover Ms. Rochester’s cost of living and acquired medical bills.
READ CASE STUDYIn the blink of an eye, everything can change. Ms. Kimberlee Rochester* and her case reminds us of that.
Ms. Rochester, a beloved 64-year-old mother and sister, was driving on East Emory Road when another driver, under the influence of alcohol, crossed into her lane and struck her vehicle head on. The impaired driver swerved out of her own lane and into west bound lanes, causing Ms. Rochester’s vehicle to become airborne and roll multiple times before coming to a rest on its top.
As a result of this sudden accident, Ms. Rochester sustained several serious injuries, including fractures to her right calcaneus, right fibula shaft, left clavicle, nasal bones, triquetrum bone, and multiple ribs. In addition to these fractures, she also sustained a sprained carpal joint and laceration on her right wrist, as well as a contusion on her lung.
Post-accident, Ms. Rochester required intensive orthopedic care and was admitted with a long-term treatment plan to WellPark at Shannondale, a nursing facility focused on promoting improved health and quality of life.
However, around two weeks after the accident took place, everything changed for Ms. Rochester and those closest to her…
Her physicians were optimistic, ordering eight weeks of physical therapy that would help get her back on her feet. But, at 6:20 am the next morning, Ms. Rochester was found unresponsive in her room. The cause of death? A pulmonary embolism, formed by complications of the injuries she sustained from the crash weeks prior.
While Ms. Rochester was hospitalized, she sought legal help through an online Google search. This led her to G3 Help Me, where our firm was positioned as the perfect choice for any auto accident victim looking to negotiate a settlement over and above policy limits without going to trial.
G3 met with Ms. Rochester where it was convenient to her: the hospital she was recuperating in. It’s extremely important to our team that we serve as a support system for those in need, so we made every effort to help ease Ms. Rochester’s financial suffering through both legal and non-legal avenues.
In addition to working on her settlement case, G3 worked on Ms. Rochester’s behalf to secure a work disability policy and coordinate with her health insurance for the best long-term care possible.
Because her medical bills vastly exceeded her insurance policy’s limits of $25,000 in liability and $75,000 in UM/UIM coverage, our team knew the best end result for our client would be to avoid trial and settle.
Upon settlement discussions, the family of the defendant offered $100,000 in personal assets to help cover Ms. Rochester’s cost of living and acquired medical bills. Together, Ms. Rochester received a total settlement of $200,000+ in monetary compensation:
This compensation will greatly help Ms. Rochester’s family through an emotionally-trying time, while avoiding an even more emotionally-draining trial process.
From our entire team at G3, we hope that Ms. Rochester’s son and sister are able to find peace of mind during this difficult time. Our firm’s deepest condolences go out to all those who knew and loved the victim.
*In order to ensure our clients receive the highest level of privacy and respect, we do not disclose their personal information. The name provided for this case study is a pseudonym.
We settled at policy limits. The ultimate outcome? $300,000 in monetary compensation and no need for any further litigation.
READ CASE STUDYOn a day seemingly like any other, 54-year-old Jimmy Collins* was traveling west by motorcycle on State Highway 72 behind a no-contact vehicle. In order to pass the no-contact vehicle in front of him, Mr. Collins switched lanes, allowing for plenty of distance between him and others on the road.
It was then that Mr. Collins noticed a second motorcyclist on the road. Traveling in the same direction on the same roadway, the second motorcyclist followed in Mr. Collin’s footsteps by also attempting to pass the no-contact vehicle.
Once Mr. Collins was slightly ahead of the no-contact vehicle, he began to slow and was promptly rear-ended by the second motorcyclist.
Post-collision, Mr. Collins was transported by ambulance to Sweetwater Hospital, where he was declared dead around an hour later. According to reports, the cause of death was multiple blunt force traumas— a direct result of the accident.
Mr. Collins lost his life due to a situation that could have been easily avoided. His sudden and unexpected death is mourned by his son and daughter, mother, girlfriend, sister, and numerous distant family members and friends.
To make matters worse, Mr. Collins’ loved ones faced significant financial burden, on top of their emotional suffering. EMS bills, hospital bills, and funeral expenses seemed to add up quickly, and they needed a solution that would offer even the slightest peace of mind during this difficult time.
Cue G3 Help Me. A simple Google search led Mr. Collins’ family to G3, where our legal staff and dedicated attorneys were positioned as the right firm for them. They needed a fair, efficient legal team on their side to help settle this complex case, and we knew right away we could help. So that’s what we did.
Mr. Collins’ family reached out to us from their current residence in Canada. As luck would have it, Mr. Collins was in Tennessee for a benefit ride and, though he and his family aren’t fellow Tennesseeans, the law states that a lawsuit must be handled by an attorney in the state the accident took place in.
Because the victim’s family lived remotely, we wanted them to be able to get back to their lives as best they could, knowing their lawsuit was in good hands.
Throughout the legal process, we worked closely with estate attorneys on dispersing assets fairly, as well as with Mr. Collins’ family from afar. Our goal was to avoid court, as an emotionally-draining trial was the last thing this family needed.
Instead, we settled at policy limits. The ultimate outcome? $300,000 in monetary compensation and no need for any further litigation.
Moving forward, this compensation will allow Mr. Collins’ children to lead a financially-stable life, despite the absence of their beloved father.
Our deepest condolences go out to all those who knew and loved the victim. From our entire team at G3, we hope that everyone stays safe on the road.
*In order to ensure our clients receive the highest level of privacy and respect, we do not disclose their personal information. The name provided for this case study is a pseudonym.
Attorney Vande Brake reached a fair settlement for Mrs. Welch. She received a settlement of $300,000 without incurring extra expenses for things like doctor’s depositions and accident reconstructions.
READ CASE STUDYMrs. Jennifer Welch* was sitting on her front porch swing, enjoying the August breeze, when her life changed forever. Reportedly, Jules Tree Service was nearby on Mrs. Welch’s street that day. Across the road from her house, one of their employees was trimming trees from the power lines and clearing brush. To help paint a more precise visual, this service was taking place less than 200 feet from her front porch.
To perform the brush clearance, this Jules Tree Service employee was using a 320 Series Bushhog. Our team was informed that this Bushhog was equipped with two rotating blades made from Falcon Steel— one of which fractured during the clearing that day and flew more than 105 feet across the road and struck Mrs. Welch in the lower left leg.
Her injuries were substantial and included a left distal tibia/fibula fracture that required open reduction internal fixation and acute hypoxic respiratory insufficiency. This injury exacerbated her pre-existing COPD and Mrs. Welch was flown by LifeStar to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where a trauma alert was activated.
According to statements from witnesses at the scene, her left leg was nearly amputated by the force of the blade striking her. In addition to physical and mental pain and suffering, Mrs. Welch also sustained permanent immobility.
Today, Mrs. Welch is unable to do many of the activities she once loved due to her immobility. Before the accident-at-issue herein, she enjoyed fishing in the creeks and rivers around her home, which often required her to be able to climb up and down the banks in search of the “perfect spot.” Now, she is confined to fishing from a chair atop only flat areas and has trouble standing for any even slightly prolonged length of time.
While it has physically impacted her daily life in many ways, her immobility also affects her emotionally. For example, around the holidays, she is unable to decorate her home or yard the way she used to enjoy. Once an avid woodworker and craftswoman, Mrs. Welch often made her own seasonal decorations and says she’ll “really miss those hobbies and the joy they brought [her].”
A simple Google search led Mrs. Welch to G3 Help Me, where she found the information and help she needed. She decided G3 was the right fit for her after reading through countless online reviews and reputation testimonies from past clients.
Mrs. Welch made an informed decision to meet with Mr. Vande Brake, Attorney at Law, and Mrs. Christine Griffin, who went above and beyond to ensure she got what she deserved. Mrs. Griffin involved several industry specialists in this case, including Warren Forensics. Her extensive research on the type of metal and procedures related to this incident was invaluable during mediation between the client, steel manufacturer, and tree company.
This strict liability case was particularly complicated due to violations of numerous OSHA and other safety guidelines, so many weeks were spent preparing for the mediation in order to obtain the best possible result for Mrs. Welch.
After 8 hours of mediation, Attorney Vande Brake and Mrs. Griffin reached a fair settlement for Mrs. Welch. Because court is not always the best option for our clients, everyone was thrilled. Mrs. Welch received a settlement of $300,000 without incurring extra expenses for things like doctor’s depositions and accident reconstructions. In court, these things are often necessary to prove guilt and can greatly diminish the net proceeds of a client’s settlement. Then, in a worse case scenario, after incurring all that extra cost, time, and stress, a jury could find your claim is worth less than what you were first offered to settle.
In Mrs. Welch’s case, all of that was avoided and a fair, significantly-sized settlement was earned for our well-deserving client. Our hope is that the settlement provides Mrs. Welch the time she needs to heal from this traumatic incident without the difficult financial burden of injury-related monetary losses.
*In order to ensure our clients receive the highest level of privacy and respect, we do not disclose their personal information. The name provided for this case study is a pseudonym.
The G3 team helped our client recover $750,000 in damages for a car accident that lead to life-threatening injuries, loss of enjoyment for life, loss of consortium and death.
READ CASE STUDYOn June 15, 2018, our client was driving home from work just like she did every other day. During her daily commute, she was traveling through the right of way on a well known road in the industrial area. The defendant driver of a commercial vehicle failed stop for the traffic control sign, entering the intersection at a high rate of speed and violently struck our client’s vehicle. The impact forced her vehicle off the road, violently striking a utility pole. Many involved in a car wreck undergo arduous treatment in the hopes of a full recovery. While the treatment is painful, expensive, and inconvenient, it is towards the goal of resuming life normally.
While Mrs. Jones was treated for her injuries, she developed a blood clot and passed. She was never able to reap the benefits of her treatment. Mrs. Jones sustained injuries including, but not limited to, five (5) fractured ribs, a fractured sternum, severely comminuted medial cuneiform fracture with extension into the TMT joint and intertarsal joint, displaced dorsal medial cuneiform fracture, headaches, numbness in extremities, anxiety and depression. She suffered significantly from the fractured ribs and sternum from the date of the accident, 15 June 2018, until her death on 11 July 2018. In addition, she underwent surgery and sustained immobility as well as loss of life and enjoyment with her family for those nearly four weeks.
Tennessee Code Ann. § 20-5-113 states, “Where a person’s death is caused by the wrongful act, fault or omission of another and suit is brought for damages, as provided for by §§ 20-5-106 and 20-5-107, the party suing shall, if entitled to damages, have the right to recover for the mental and physical suffering, loss of time and necessary expenses resulting to the deceased from the personal injuries, and also the damages resulting to the parties for whose use and benefit the right of action survives from the death consequent upon the injuries received.”
Tennessee Code Ann. § 20-5-113 gives rise to a single cause of action vested in the representative of the decedent, under which two types of damages may be recovered: 1) Actual damages to the deceased, which include pain and suffering, medical expenses and funeral costs; and 2) Pecuniary value of the life of the deceased, based on life expectancy, age, condition of health and strength, capacity for labor and for earning money, and personal habits as to sobriety and industry. Alexander v. Beale St. Blues Co., 108 F. Supp. 2d 934, 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 22251 (W.D. Tenn. 1999).
In Beard v. Brandson, 528 S.W.3d 487, 2017 Tenn. LEXIS 540, the Tennessee Supreme Court, while explaining Tenn. Code Ann. § 20-5-113 stated, “Thus, the statutory beneficiaries may recover both damages suffered by the decedent (like true survival statutes) and also damages suffered by the beneficiaries (like purely wrongful death statutes). “Hence, survivors of the deceased may recover damages for their losses suffered as a result of the death as well as damages sustained by the deceased from the time of injury to the time of death.” Jordan v. Baptist Three Rivers Hosp., 984 S.W.2d 593, 1999Tenn. LEXIS 43 (Tenn.1999) (emphasis in original) (citing Jones, 539 S.W.2d at 124); id. At 601 (holding that consortium-type damages suffered by the beneficiaries may be included as an element of the pecuniary value of the decedent in a wrongful death action).”
Loss of consortium may be considered when calculating the pecuniary value of a deceased’s life. Jordan, supra. Loss of consortium consists of several elements, encompassing not only tangible services provided by a family member, but also intangible benefits each family member receives from the continued existence of other family members, including attention, guidance, care, protection, training, companionship, cooperation, affection, love and in the case of a spouse, sexual relations.
*We used the pseudonym, Danielle Jones, to protect our client.*
