Jury awards medical expenses to accident victim, but nothing for mental anguish

Although a jury found both the plaintiff and the defendant equally at fault for causing an automobile collision, a verdict of more than $200,000 in damages was still awarded to the plaintiff.

As previously reported, Bryan Snipes filed a lawsuit Sept. 23, 2010, in Jefferson County District Court against Jose Duran and Alfredo Lopez, claiming he suffered physical pain and mental anguish after Duran failed to control his speed and struck him.

The case went to trial last week in Judge Milton Shuffield’s 136th District Court.

According to the charge of the court, filed March 21, jurors found both Duran and Snipes negligent in causing the collision, assigning each individual 50 percent of the blame.

Jurors also awarded Snipe $160,000 for his future medical expenses and $42,000 for his past lost wages, but nothing for his alleged mental anguish, impairment and disfigurement.

In his suit, Snipes claims he was driving in Jefferson County when Duran failed to control his speed and caused a collision on Sept. 18, 2009. At the time of the accident, Duran was working for Lopez.

Snipes blames Duran for causing the collision, saying he failed to control his speed, failed to maintain a proper lookout, failed to timely apply his brakes, failed to drive in a safe manner, failed to maintain control of his vehicle and failed to yield the right of way.

Matthew C. Matheny of Provost and Umphrey Law Firm in Beaumont represents Snipes.

Case No. D188-407