MOTOR VEHICLE

PALM BEACH CIRCUIT COURT

A West Palm Beach jury awarded $361,000 to a woman who claimed injuries from a rear-end collision caused her to abandon the restaurant she owned.

In February 2014, Karen Siegel, then 49, was driving a sport utility vehicle east on PGA Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens. As she was turning onto Military Trail, her SUV was rear-ended by a minivan. She was diagnosed with herniations and bulges at several spinal discs and with a torn right rotator cuff. She said she now has a sedentary job at a deli at a much lower income. Siegel alleged the driver, Christopher Anderson, was not paying attention to the road.

Anderson argued Siegel stopped short, causing the crash. The jury determined Anderson was fully liable.

Case: Siegel v. Anderson

Case No.: 50-2015- CA-009253

Plaintiffs attorney: Christa McCann, Clark Fountain La Vista Prather Keen & Littky- Rubin, West Palm Beach

Defense attorneys: Jeffrey R. Hickman, Law Office of Jeffrey R. Hickman, West Palm Beach; Edward W. Malavenda, Law Office of Nicholas J. Ryan & Associates, Fort Lauderdale; Candace Moss, GEICO General Insurance Co., West Palm Beach; and C. Richard Penalta, Julie A. Taylor & Associates, Fort Lauderdale