$________ TO TWO PLAINTIFFS - MOTOR VEHICLE NEGLIGENCE - AMBULANCE ROLLOVER EN ROUTE TO HOSPITAL - MULTIPLE SPINAL FRACTURES - BROKEN RADIUS AND ULNA - ABDOMINAL INJURIES REQUIRING SURGERY.

Suffolk County, Massachusetts

The female plaintiff, Seang, age 42, was operating her vehicle on southbound I-93 when she was involved in a minor three car accident. Her vehicle collided into the rear of the vehicle driven by co-plaintiff 48-year-old male, McKinnon. Seang alleged minor injuries consisting of lacerations and the plaintiff, McKinnon, also complained of minor injuries. Both were placed into the defendant’s ambulance together for transport from the accident scene to the emergency room. Plaintiff Seang was secured by a strap around her midsection in a bench seat on the passenger side of the ambulance while the plaintiff, McKinnon, was strapped to the stretcher. While en route to the hospital, the defendant’s ambulance was traveling in the left lane and struck a disabled vehicle, causing the vehicle to be pushed into the middle and right lanes of the roadway. The force of the collision caused the ambulance to roll over onto its side. The ambulance traveled approximately 20 feet before coming to a stop. The plaintiffs’ witnesses maintained that the ambulance was traveling over 60 miles per hour prior to the collision and did not appear to brake.

As a result of the collision, the plaintiffs were severely injured. The plaintiff, McKinnon, sustained multiple spinal fractures at the cervical, thoracic and lumbar areas, which required a full body cast for four months. Further, he alleged herniations to his spine and maintained that he was fully disabled as a result of the incident. The plaintiff, Seang, sustained a compound fracture of her right arm, as well as, abdominal injuries and internal bleeding as a result of the seatbelt. She endured several hospitalizations, due to intestinal blockages, following the incident and had to undergo emergency surgery and removal of a portion of her small bowel immediately after the incident.

The plaintiff, Seang, alleged $________ in past medical specials, $________ in future medical specials and $________ for lost earnings and lost earning potential. The plaintiff, McKinnon, alleged $________ in past medical expenses. The plaintiffs brought suit against the defendant, alleging that the ambulance driver was negligent in operating the ambulance, traveled at an excessive rate of speed and failed to exercise due care which resulted in the collision and roll-over.

The defendant denied the allegations and maintained that another vehicle blocked the driver’s path and swerved last minute, causing the collision. The defendant also disputed the nature and extent of the plaintiffs’ injuries, maintaining that the injuries were predominantly as a result of the initial collision between the plaintiffs.

At the conclusion of the trial, the jury returned its verdict in favor of the plaintiffs and against the defendant. The jury awarded the plaintiff, Seang, the sum of $________ for damages and $________ to her husband for his loss of consortium claim. The jury awarded the plaintiff, McKinnon, the sum of $________ and $________ to his spouse for her loss of consortium claim.