As a native of Fort Myers and as a personal injury attorney in Southwest Florida, I am often contacted by family and friends who I personally know or have been acquainted with for many years. Unfortunately, when I received that call wherein I learn that an accident took place, my heart drops as I am too familiar with the tragic consequences of automobile accidents. These accidents can happen anywhere, at any time, to anyone.
In February 2011, I was contacted by "Tom Smith", a local resident and acquaintance to assist in the handling of his personal injury matter. Tom has lived in southwest Florida for many years and attended our local public schools. He is happily married and the proud father of 3 children. Tom relayed to me that he was minding his own business on a sunny February day. His truck had come to a complete stop on U.S. 41 when, without warning, he was rear-ended by the at-fault driver at 55mph.
The at-fault driver was so inattentive, he never even had a chance to brake or use his horn to warn Tom. Both vehicles were totaled as a result. Tom was transported by ambulance to Lee Memorial Hospital for serious injuries. He was ultimately released from the hospital but sought the opinion of a neurosurgeon for an evaluation of his debilitating neck pain. The local neurosurgeon recommended an MRI of the neck which confirmed a herniated disk with cord compression at C6-7.
Shortly after the MRI results, Tom underwent an Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion at C6-7 in March 2011. Once the surgery was complete and Tom was recovering at home, The Dellutri Law Group completed its investigation and aggressively pursued a settlement against the insurance company of the at-fault driver. The result was a multi-figure confidential settlement for Tom and his family. Although dollars will never heal Tom's neck, our system of justice, while not perfect, is the best system in the world. Tom was fully compensated for his losses. As I write this blog, I am happy to say that The Dellutri Law Group was able to investigate, litigate and resolve Tom's case within 5 months after the accident occurred.
