Sutton
Following nearly two years of litigation, plaintiff Lauren Munoz was awarded more than $575,000 for neck injuries she suffered in an automobile collision.
As the Southeast Texas Record previously reported, Becky White, acting as next of friend, filed a suit on behalf of Munoz on Jan. 28, 2010, in Jefferson County District Court against Brown's Machine Works and Construction and Stacy L. Alexander.
Court records show Munoz was in a collision with the defendants on Sept. 20, 2009. She suffered multiple fractures to her neck, a "hangman's fracture" to her C2, rib fractures and a bruised lung.
"At the time of this incident, Lauren Munoz was a happy, vibrant and very active girl, involved in sports, water activities and drama activities," the complaint says.
The case went to trial two weeks ago and on Sept. 23 jurors found that both defendants, Brown's Machine Works and Alexander, were equally negligent in causing the collision, assigning 50 percent of the blame to each party.
According to the charge of the court, jurors awarded Munoz $575,422 for her past and future medical expenses, physical pain, mental anguish, impairment and disfigurement.
Jurors also found that $302,348 would compensate Alexander for injuries that resulted from the collision.
Brian D. Sutton, Joseph N. Jannise Jr., Stephanie H. Harris and Matthew J. Riley of Sutton and Jacobs in Beaumont represent the plaintiffs.
Case No. B185-822