Mr. H tore his rotator cuff in a car accident. He had to undergo shoulder surgery and several months of physical therapy. Before the case went to trial, Michael Ruppersburg secured a $300,000 settlement for Mr. H, which was nearly four times his medical bills and lost income.
The Accident
Mr. H was driving west on Highway 316 in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Traffic up ahead of him slowed so he braked and came to a stop. A driver behind Mr. H wasn’t paying attention and crashed into his car. The police investigated and issued the other driver a ticket for following too closely.
Diagnosis of Torn Rotator Cuff and Treatment
After the accident, Mr. H initially thought he was OK. But when he woke up the next morning, his neck, back and shoulder were hurting. He went to a local chiropractor and was treated with him for several weeks. While his neck and back pain got better, his shoulder didn’t and continued to hurt.
The chiropractor referred Mr. H to an orthopedic surgeon. The surgeon diagnosed Mr. H with a dislocated shoulder and ordered an MRI that showed a torn rotator cuff and torn biceps tendon. The surgeon recommended Mr. H undergo surgery and he decided to proceed. The surgery involved reducing the dislocated shoulder, which means putting it back into place, and repairing the torn rotator cuff and torn biceps tendon.
While the surgery went well, Mr. H had a tough recovery. His arm was in a sling for 6 weeks and he had to sleep in a recliner due to the pain in his shoulder. He underwent months of physical therapy. While he made a good recovery, his doctor testified that his injuries are likely to cause him post-traumatic arthritis as he ages and that he may possibly need another shoulder surgery when he’s older.
Lawsuit & Settlement
Michael and his client tried to resolve the case before filing a lawsuit but the other driver’s insurance didn’t make a fair settlement offer. They even claimed they weren’t responsible for the accident even though their driver rear-ended Mr. H and got a ticket. Michael deposed the other driver, who admitted he was at fault. Michael then deposed Mr. H’s surgeon, who testified the accident caused Mr. H’s shoulder injuries and surgery. Shortly before trial, the insurance company offered $300,000, which Mr. H decided to accept. We’re glad to have helped Mr. H with his case and wish him the best.