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MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Madison County jury awards $7,000 to woman injured in accident

Hodges

Lanter

A Madison County jury on Tuesday awarded $7,000 to a woman injured in an auto accident in Glen Carbon more than seven years ago.

Lisa Going, 33, formerly of Belleville, now of Sebastian, Fla., claimed neck and back injuries after being rear-ended by a tow truck driven by John Claus, Jr. on Oct. 6, 2004.

According to Going's complaint, she was northbound on Route 159 at the intersection of Cottonwood Road, when her Chevrolet S-10 was hit from behind by Claus, an employee of Mike Hahne Towing.

Claus' 1987 Ford FSR was carrying another vehicle when it struck Going's truck, she claimed.

Claus had admitted fault in the accident.

According to testimony at trial, Going saw the tow truck seconds before the accident. She described the impact as severe.

"I was really shooken up," said Going, who claimed headaches and neck pain.

According to testimony at trial, Going had two prior accidents.

Going's attorney, Nathan Lanter of Belleville, had asked the jury to award his client $40,000.

Defense attorney James Hodges of Edwardsville told the jurors that the impact was not that significant.

"I would like you to look at the whole picture," he said.

"Her complaints of her neck and head were resolved after the accident," he said.

Hodges suggested the jury award Going $1,851.75, which included $421.60 for her ambulance bill from the City of Edwardsville, $318 for her emergency room bill, $1,060.25 for her hospital bill and $52 for her radiology bill.

Madison County Circuit Judge Dennis Ruth presided.

The case is Madison County Case Number 10-L-856.

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