An Orleans Parish District Court jury ruled in favor of a Jefferson Parish woman May 11, awarding her more than $300,000 in damages over a New Orleans auto accident.
Kolene Knowles sued Gootee Construction Inc. and its insurers, Arch Insurance Co. and State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance, after a Gootee employee rear-ended a car on US-90 and caused a chain-reaction which resulted in Knowles' car being struck and causing her severe injuries.
New Orleans attorney Edward Womac Jr. filed the suit in September 2007.
New Orleans attorneys Bruce Hoefer Jr. and John Taherty Jr. represented Gootee and Thomas Ritter, the employee involved in the accident.
The case was presided over by Judge Robin Giarrusso.
The jury found that Gootee Construction and Ritter were negligent in the accident.
The jury awarded Knowles $41,000 in lost wages, $101,983 in past medical expenses, $238,925 in future medical expenses and $150,000 in "loss of enjoyment of life."
The general damages amounted to $362,500.
Orleans Parish Case 2007-13150
Orleans Parish jury awards $362k in car accident trial
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