Plaintiff Secures $4.2m Verdict At Trial after Defense Rejects $100k 998 Offer In Auto Accident Case

Rebecca Faessel v. Florence Lisa Hartigan (Los Angeles Super Ct. No. 20STCV17233): On September 25, 2024 Plaintiff Rebecca Raessel was awarded a $4.2 million verdict against defendant Florence Lisa Hartigan in an auto accident case. Plaintiff was struck by defendant’s vehicle who ran a stop sign, striking the front of plaintiff’s vehicle on June 5, 2019. As a result of the accident, plaintiff sought treatment for headaches, neck pain and upper back pain by visiting a chiropractor. Prior to the accident plaintiff had suffered from intermittent headaches since she was 20 years old, and had visited a chiropractor 6 months prior to the accident complaining of headaches. Plaintiff was later diagnosed with Chiari-1 malformation, a congenital condition that affects the shape of the skull that can cause headaches, a condition unrelated to the accident. Defendant argued that the crash caused soft tissue and cervical sprains, and that her congenital condition was unrelated to the accident. Prior to trial, plaintiff submitted a 998 offer for $100k which defendant rejected, countering with offers below the policy limit of $100k. After a 7 day trial, plaintiff was awarded a $4.2m verdict. Plaintiff was represented by Law Offices of Brian J. Breiter LLP. Defendant was represented by Knapp, Petersen & Clarke.