MOTOR VEHICLE

PALM BEACH CIRCUIT COURT

A 19-year-old college student who suffered a permanent neck jury after her SUV collided with a sedan received a jury verdict of $352,953.

Anne Leigh Ritacco swerved to avoid the collision, but her vehicle was broadsided and went up a brick planter, landing on a sign for a residential community. She suffered a cervical disc bulge at C5-6, which caused daily pain and discomfort even after various treatments and made it harder for her to work out. She sued her insurer, Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Co., to collect on the underinsured-motorist provision of her policy.

The insurer alleged Ritacco's injury was not permanent injury and disputed her need for future treatment.

Case: Ritacco v. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance

Case No.: 50-2017-CA-011520-XXXX-MB

Plaintiffs attorneys: Ian L. Kleinman and Bennett M. Lessmann Jr., Law Offices of Kleinman & Lessmann, Boca Raton

Defense attorneys: Charles Reid Bierer and Tobi Perl, Law Offices of Robert J. Smith, Fort Lauderdale