Weber Gallagher Simpson Stapleton Fires & Newby LLP

Laurence T. Bennett, a partner in Weber Gallagher's Cherry Hill office, prevailed in a recent trial of an automobile accident case in Gloucester County, New Jersey.

The issue of liability had already been adjudicated against the firm's client prior to trial.  Plaintiff alleged that as a result of a 2005 automobile accident, he sustained post-traumatic disc herniations of the cervical and lumbar spine as well as post traumatic anxiety and depression.  The defense was based upon the theory that plaintiff's injuries were pre-existing in nature and, therefore, plaintiff was unable to prove by credible objective medical evidence that he had sustained a permanent injury as required by N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8 (New Jersey's limitation on lawsuit threshold requirements).  After deliberating, the jury unanimously rendered a verdict that plaintiff did not sustain a permanent injury in the motor vehicle accident.