Tyra Andre was just 21-years-old and on her way to classes at a Jacksonville community college when her Ford Taurus was rear-ended by a large Ford F-450 truck belonging to the Ring Power Corporation on the I-10 merger ramp with I-95. Ever since the March 10, 2009 accident, her life has been a series of pain treatments for the neurological damage to her neck and back. Andre is a patient at the Jacksonville Spine Center and her pain treatments including chiropractic, injections, and radio frequency lesioning (RFL), which will be necessary for the remainder of her life.
In Duval Circuit Court on February 17, Farah & Farah attorneys Brian Flaherty and Richard Staggard leveled the playing field and told the six-person jury that the collision did cause the injuries Andre suffers with today, something the company denied. Attorneys for Ring Power had argued that Andre had an underlying condition and that she only suffered a sprain and strain.
It took the jurors just over two hours to deliver the $1,284,465.35 verdict, the bulk of which will go for Andre’s medical treatment both past and future.
“She was a young woman who experienced a life-altering event from a company that didn’t fully appreciate what the long-term consequences would be,” said attorney Flaherty.
Richard Staggard adds, “They were very dismissive of her.”
Andre, now 23, is continuing to attend classes in hopes of becoming a medical technologist.
Ring Power offers maintenance and rental programs for large equipment and machines for industry. The company’s world headquarters are located in St. Augustine, Florida.
The Farah & Farah law firm began in Jacksonville in 1979 and has become one of the largest law firms in North Florida. Farah & Farah levels the playing field for consumers with a team of respected and experienced attorneys, case managers, investigators, and legal assistants, and will personally meet with you to discuss your case. Visit our website or contact the Farah & Farah offices at 1-800-533-3555.
