A jury in Michigan has rendered a defense verdict in a case brought by a passenger allegedly injured in an auto accident against her insurance company, seeking to recover first-party, no-personal injury protection ("PIP") benefits.
Facts and Allegations
On July 11, 2016, Stefani Putnam was a passenger in a vehicle traveling in Macomb County, Michigan, when the vehicle she was in was rear-ended by another vehicle. Ms. Putnam claimed that her neck was injured.
Ms. Putnam subsequently sued State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. She sought to recover first-party, no-fault PIP benefits.
Liability for the accident was not at issue. However, State Farm denied any breach in its duty to provide benefits.
The defense maintained that Ms. Putnam's injuries were preexisting. The defense further argued that the crash was a minor collision that could not have caused Ms. Putnam's continued symptoms.
The doctor who had conducted an independent medical examination on Ms. Putnam for the defense testified that there was no objective evidence of an injury that resulted from the accident.
Result
The jury rendered a defense verdict.
The case is Putnam v. State Farm Mutual Automobile, No. 2018-165593-NF (MI Cir. Ct. Oakland Co. Aug. 30, 2019). Attorneys involved include: Thomas G. Krall; Krall Law Offices PLLC; for Stefani Putnam; Henry L. Gordon; Kent E. Gorsuch & Associates; Southfield, MI for State Farm Mutual Automobile; Ben VanGelderen; Kent E. Gorsuch & Associates; Southfield, MI for State Farm Mutual Automobile.
Insurance Coverage Law Center Comment
This report is based on information that was provided by defense counsel. Additional information was gleaned from court documents. Plaintiff's counsel did not respond to the reporter's phone calls.
See the full detailed report from our ALM partner, VerdictSearch.com.
Steven A. Meyerowitz
Steven A. Meyerowitz, a Harvard Law School graduate, is the founder and president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. He may be contacted at [email protected].