Case Studies:
Automobile Injury: Orthopedic Injuries and Structured Settlement Annuity for Lifetime Care Need

Jorge Hernandez* was a 62-year old married man on his way to work when a commercial van pulled out in front of him. The ensuing collision caused Mr. Hernandez a fractured tibia requiring external fixation. He developed a chronic compartment syndrome in the lower portion of that leg, and also suffered several fractured ribs. Ultimately, Mr. Hernandez' leg injuries required three surgeries, and he was left with a significant permanent partial disability (or impairment rating) and appreciable future medical needs.

Nelson Langer Nelson achieved a pretrial settlement of one million one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,001,500) for Mr. Hernandez and his wife, who suffered personal loss of consortium damages. Because a significant portion of the settlement was placed in a structured settlement annuity, the lifetime payout of the settlement will be much greater. The regular, tax-free payments will provide salary replacement for Mr. Hernandez along with sufficient funds for his future anticipated medical treatment. The up-front portion of the settlement allowed Mr. Hernandez and his wife to relocate to a more user-friendly home to accommodate his disability.

Nelson Langer Nelson will often utilize special experts to develop and portray the disability and impairment aspects of their serious injury cases. A key to the successful evolution of the Hernandez case was the demonstration of Mr. Hernandez' work disability and ongoing impairments around the home.

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