$700,800 Ocean County Jury Verdict for New Jersey Driver with Lumbar Disc Bulge Following Car Accident

Ocean County Jury Awards $700,800 for Low Back Injury After Motor Vehicle Crash

Beninato & Matrafajlo is proud to announce a significant trial victory in Ocean County, New Jersey, where a jury awarded our client, Gabriella Manzo, $700,800 for injuries she sustained in a motor vehicle accident.

What makes this verdict particularly noteworthy is that Gabriella’s injuries were treated entirely through chiropractic care. She never underwent surgery, pain management injections, or any invasive procedures. Despite those facts, the Ocean County jury recognized the seriousness of her injuries and the impact they had on her daily life.

The Car Accident

Gabriella was involved in a motor vehicle collision when another driver lost control of her vehicle and crashed into her at a high rate of speed. The impact caused significant property damage and left Gabriella suffering from persistent neck and lower back pain.

Following the crash, Gabriella sought treatment at the hospital and later pursued conservative care to address her ongoing symptoms.

Injuries and Medical Treatment

As a result of the collision, Gabriella suffered injuries to her cervical and lumbar spine, including a lumbar disc bulge that caused ongoing low back pain. Her treatment consisted of:

• Emergency room evaluation immediately after the crash
• Chiropractic treatment
• Physical therapy and conservative rehabilitation

Gabriella never underwent spinal surgery, epidural injections, radiofrequency ablations, or other invasive procedures commonly seen in serious back injury cases. Her MRI studies revealed a lumbar disc bulge, and she continued to experience limitations in her daily activities and prolonged sitting.

What Made This Case Unique

The insurance carrier, NJM Insurance Group, took an aggressive defense position throughout the litigation. Rather than making a meaningful settlement offer, the carrier essentially adopted a “no-pay” position and disputed the value of Gabriella’s claim.

The defense relied heavily on medical experts who argued that Gabriella’s MRI findings were degenerative in nature and unrelated to the collision. Their experts further claimed that her sprain injuries had resolved and that there was no objective evidence of permanent injury.

The defense’s position ignored the reality that Gabriella continued to experience significant pain and functional limitations long after the crash.

Trial Strategy and Verdict

At trial, Beninato & Matrafajlo focused on presenting Gabriella as a credible, hardworking individual who had no history of similar complaints before the collision and who continued to live with the consequences of the crash every day.

The jury heard evidence regarding the force of the collision, Gabriella’s ongoing symptoms, her medical treatment history, and the impact the injuries had on her life.

Ultimately, the jury rejected the insurance company’s attempt to minimize her injuries and returned a verdict of $700,800 in Gabriella’s favor.

Why This Verdict Matters

Insurance companies often attempt to undervalue cases involving conservative treatment, arguing that the absence of surgery means the injuries are minor.

This verdict demonstrates an important truth: a serious back injury does not require surgery to be significant.

Jurors understand that chronic pain, physical limitations, and the loss of normal daily activities can have a profound impact on a person’s life, even when treatment remains conservative.

Injured in a New Jersey Car Accident?

If you have suffered a back injury, disc bulge, neck injury, or spinal injury in a New Jersey car accident, do not assume that an insurance company will fairly evaluate your claim.

The attorneys at Beninato & Matrafajlo have recovered millions of dollars for injured accident victims throughout New Jersey and have the experience necessary to take cases to trial when insurance companies refuse to make reasonable offers.

Contact Beninato & Matrafajlo today for a free consultation to discuss your rights and legal options.