BEAUMONT – A lawsuit brought over an automobile collision recently resulted in a jury verdict of more than $56,000 in damages.
Last March, Mark and Sara Morales filed suit against Miguel Aparicio in Jefferson County District Court, seeking between $200,000 and $1 million in damages.
According to the lawsuit, on March 4, 2018, the couple was stopped at a red light at the intersection of 19th Street and Woodworth in Port Arthur when Aparicio rear-ended them.
The couple accused him of negligently failing to control his speed and stay alert.
They claim they suffered neck and back injuries as a result of the collision.
In his answer, Aparicio asserted a general denial and maintained the incident was an unavoidable accident.
The case was called up to trial earlier this month and ended with a jury awarding the couple $56,595.76 in damages, according to the charge of the court, which was filed on July 9.
The jury awarded Mark Morales $37,516.58 for his past medical expenses and $5,000 for his past mental anguish. No damages were awarded for his past and future impairment or his future mental anguish.
Jurors also awarded Sara Morales $9,079.18 for her past medical expenses and $5,000 for her past mental anguish. No damages were awarded for her past and future impairment or her future mental anguish.
The plaintiffs are represented by Beaumont attorney Cody Rees.
The defendant is represented by Pam Rea, attorney for the Houston law firm Susan L. Florence & Associates.
Judge Justin Sanderson, 60th District Court, presided over the trial.
Case No. B-201455