Pinellas County

(49) EDWARD E. GOLDEN, JR. and MARJORIE F. GOLDEN vs. ROSE KOROLL and SAFECO INSURANCE CO. OF ILLINOIS

 

County/Docket #/Judge: Pinellas / 07-12287-CI-015 / W. Douglas Baird

 

Plaintiff(s) Attorney(s): Leonard M. Vincenti, Clearwater; Richard R. Logsdon, Clearwater

 

Defendant(s) Attorney(s): Thomas W. Cope and David J. Abbey of Abbey, Adams, et al., St. Petersburg for Koroll

 

Age/Sex/Occupation Of Plaintiff: Edward: 79 / M / Retired Dentist

 

Cause Of Injury: Motor Vehicle Accident/T-bone Collision. Plaintiffs alleged that on February 8, 2007, at approximately 4:45 p.m., at the intersection of U.S. Highway 19 and Klosterman Road in Tarpon Springs, Defendant Koroll’s vehicle struck Plaintiff Edward Golden’s vehicle as the vehicle entered the intersection in a T-bone type collision which resulted in Plaintiff’s vehicle rolling over onto its roof. Defendant Safeco Insurance was Plaintiffs’ underinsured motorist carrier. Defendant Koroll was issued a ticked for running the red light.

 

Nature Of Injury: Partial amputation/avulsion/degloving injury to the left forearm and hand. Plaintiff was transported by helicopter to Tampa General Hospital where his left forearm/hand was reattached. Five various surgeries and skin grafts were performed over a two-month period. Plaintiff is unable to grip with his left hand or able to touch his thumb to any of his fingers.

 

Expert Witnesses:

 

Plaintiff's:

Jeffrey Stone, M.D., Microsurgery/Upper Extremity Specialist, Temple Terrace

Jeffrey Armstrong, Accident Reconstruction, Lutz

 

Defendant's:

J. Patrick Parrish, Accident Reconstruction, Gainesville

Jack Suchocki, Forensic Animation, Pompano Beach

 

Verdict: For Defendant Koroll on April 22, 2009.

 

Editor's Note: This was a three-day trial. The jury was composed of four females and two males. The jury deliberated thirty minutes. Plaintiff Marjorie Golden settled her loss of consortium claim prior to trial. Defendant Safeco Insurance settled with Plaintiffs the week prior to trial. The jury found that Defendant Koroll was not negligent in the accident.

 

Defendant's Attorney's Comments: Thomas Cope: The highest offer from Defendant Koroll was $260,000. The lowest demand made by Plaintiff was $775,000 directed to Defendant Koroll. During closing arguments, Plaintiff’s counsel suggested the jury award $76,000 in past medical damages and between $1,000,000 and $3,000,000 in past and future non-economic damages. Defense counsel suggested the jury render a verdict determining Defendant Koroll was not negligent in the subject accident or in the alternative, award no more than $100,000 in past and future non-economic damages. Prior to closing arguments, a high/low agreement was entered into, guaranteeing at least $100,000 to Plaintiff and limiting the possible maximum payment to her remaining policy limits of $975,000 (Canadian).