April 19, 2000
On October 22, 1993, the plaintiff was rear-ended while traveling west on Sparta Avenue in Newton, New Jersey. Prior to the accident the plaintiff was in good health and had no pre-existing orthopedic or neurological conditions. While the accident caused relatively minimal damage to both vehicles, the defendant left a 10 to 12 foot skid mark in the roadway and pushed the plaintiff's vehicle approximately 5 to 10 feet forward.
The plaintiff was taken by ambulance to Newton Memorial Hospital where he was treated in the emergency room for neck pain and was x-rayed. Subsequently, the plaintiff began a course of treatment with a chiropractor, neurologist, psychologist, and two neurosurgeons. He was diagnosed with bilateral carpel tunnel syndrome, which eventually lead to a carpal tunnel release surgery to both wrists.
The plaintiff was also diagnosed with a disc herniation at C6 and C7 in the cervical spine and a compression fracture of the T11 vertebral body in the thoracic spine. These conditions were repeatedly reconfirmed in multiple diagnostic tests, including electromyography. After a series of epidural injections which failed, The plaintiff underwent surgery at Overlook Hospital on September 26, 1997 for an anterior cervical discectomy with fusion and plating. He further required significant psychological care for depression and pain associated with his injuries.
Despite the cervical surgery, and significant narcotic medication, the plaintiff underwent surgery at Overlook Hospital on November 25, 1998 for the permanent implantation of a dorsal column stimulator. This system allows the plaintiff to use a battery operated pulse generator to mask or alleviate the pain coming from the spinal nerves.
Amos Gern was able to resolve the underlying liability claim after four days of trial in Morris County.
