A Seattle, Washington car rental company arranged their fleet of vehicles for their scheduled reservations. One employee sped through the parking lot in a large truck, swerving wildly. Consequently, he struck a 22-year-old co-worker who was on foot. She suffered a staggering number of injuries, including broken ribs, a brain bleed, and a spleen laceration so severe that it needed to be removed. Edward K. Le and Mike Kittleson of Le & Kittleson, Personal Injury Attorneys helped the woman navigate her complex medical insurance processes and secured her a $5,900,000 settlement. A crucial part of their strategy included an animation that outlined her damages and surgeries.
When the woman awoke in the emergency room, the gravity of her traumatic brain injury became clear; she suffered debilitating anxiety, epileptic seizures, anosmia, and hearing loss. Her family contacted Edward and Mike, who met them at the hospital to offer their support and guidance. Edward and Mike coordinated the woman’s neuropsychology examinations and rehabilitation using their extensive network of medical specialists. Thankfully, the woman’s condition improved significantly over the three or four months following the incident. However, as a result, the Defense contested the severity of her damages, attempting to minimize her available recovery.
Unfortunately, the Defense continued to play games as the case progressed. In another attempt to thwart Edward and Mike’s efforts, the Defense stated the truck manufacturer was responsible and that the vehicle’s brakes were defective. They also made low monetary offers to settle the matter, far lower than what Edward and Mike knew the case was worth. However, with resolve and patience, Edward and Mike advised their client it would be best to wait to get the entire value of her case. To prepare for trial, Edward and Mike brought together their team of medical specialists and DK Global to visualize their expert testimony and the woman’s injuries.
The animation began with the woman’s likeness modeled in 3D. Then, her skull was revealed to show her injuries: brain hemorrhaging, post-traumatic epilepsy, and a large scalp hematoma. Her medical imagery was enhanced and displayed next to her orthopedic fractures, illuminating the location and seriousness of her damages. Next, after the woman’s injuries were depicted, metal rods and screws secured her broken bones to demonstrate the invasive surgeries she endured. Finally, MRIs of her brain were colorized and highlighted to show her brain damage and the corresponding cognitive deficits.
Edward and Mike shared the animation at the final mediation with the opposing counsel, giving them a chance to resolve the matter before taking it to a jury. After reviewing the visuals, the Defense agreed to settle the case for $5,900,000 – nearly three times larger than their initial offer.
For over 25 years, Edward K. Le has represented the survivors of catastrophic injuries. He is recognized amongst the “Top 100 Trial Lawyers for Washington” by the National Trial Lawyers Association. Edward has earned the Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Rating of “AV Preeminent,” a prestigious accomplishment given to the most respected attorneys for their legal expertise.
Since 2015, Mike Kittleson has focused on advocating for those who suffered harm due to the negligence of others. Recognized by Super Lawyers as a “Top Rated Personal Injury Attorney in Renton, Washington” and a “Rising Star,” Mike was also awarded a place amongst The National Trial Lawyers: “Top 40 Under 40”.
