Less than a month before trial in downtown Los Angeles, Rai Fink Ebner trial attorney Darren Ebner and co-counsel were retained to take over the defense of an individual who admitted liability for rear-ending the plaintiff’s vehicle while it was stopped at a red light. The plaintiff, an emergency medical technician in her mid-20s, had undergone surgery to replace two lumbar discs (L4–S1) after post-accident neuropathy and bulging discs, and sought more than $16 million in damages.

Presenting extensive physical and documentary evidence using current trial technology, the defense argued the plaintiff suffered only minor injuries in the accident and that her more serious low-back disc injuries resulted from failing to follow post-accident discharge and recovery instructions.

After a two-week trial, the twelve-person jury deliberated less than half a day before unanimously awarding the plaintiff less than $5,000 — the cost of her initial physical therapy.