Johnson Abdallah Wins $750,000 Jury Verdict for Injured Client
Oct 1, 14
Johnson, Abdallah, Bollweg & Parsons, LLP is pleased to announce that a Sioux Falls jury in Minnehaha County has returned a verdict in the amount of $750,000 in favor of one of the firm's clients.
Attorney Scott Abdallah represented the injured party, Trooper Dave Knutson, and tried the case before the jury.
Trooper Knutson was on duty and had parked in his vehicle along Interstate 229 to assist another motorist. The defendant was overdriving the icy conditions, lost control of her vehicle, and slammed into Knutson's parked patrol car at 65 miles per hour.
Trooper Knutson was left with permanent neck injuries.
As reported by the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, "[the defendant] pleaded guilty to overdriving for road conditions, and her insurance company paid the state for repair of the cruiser but balked at a settlement that would have covered Knutson's long-term medical bills or compensated him for pain and suffering."
In fact, the defendant's insurance company had made an offer of only $20,000 prior to trial.
As a result, Trooper Knutson was forced to proceed to trial in order to vindicate his rights.
After reviewing all of the evidence, the jury awarded Trooper Knutson a substantial verdict of $750,000 as compensation for his pain, suffering, and permanent injuries.
"Hopefully, this incident will remind people how important it is to slow down," said Abdallah.
Knutson v. Herberg, Civ. No. 11-2490 (Minnehaha County, Second Judicial Circuit).
