A St. Clair County jury awarded a motorist more than $35,000 in damages following a Belleville rear-end collision.
The jury awarded plaintiff Sherry Katzman $35,294.76. Damages were broken down to $14,294.76 for past medical expenses, $2,000 for future medical expenses, $7,500 for pain and suffering, $2,500 for future pain and suffering, $5,000 for loss of a normal life and $4,000 for future loss of a normal life.
The trial began on March 27 in Associate Judge Heinz Rudolf's courtroom.
Katzman was represented by Steven Katzman of Katzman & Sugden LLC in Belleville.
Defendant Toya Miles was represented by Paul Travous of St. Louis.
Katzman filed her complaint on June 17, 2016, alleging that on Jan. 5, 2016, she was driving a 2013 BMW 3281 on Foley Drive approximately 50 feet west of Mitchell Lane in Belleville. At the same time and place, Miles was driving a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu when she allegedly rear-ended the plaintiff.
Katzman alleged Miles negligently and carelessly failed to keep her vehicle under proper control, operated her vehicle at a high rate of speed, operated her vehicle in an unsafe manner, failed to pay proper attention to the vehicles on the roadway, failed to take evasive action to avoid an accident and failed to reduce speed to avoid colliding with the plaintiff.
As a result, Katzman allegedly suffered injuries to her neck, right shoulder, right arm, right side and head, among other injuries.
Miles answered the complaint on Aug. 25. She admitted that she was at fault for the accident but denied the plaintiff's alleged damages.
On Nov. 1, the arbitrators entered an award against Miles and in favor of Katzman in the amount of $45,000, plus costs.
On Nov. 28, Miles rejected the award of the arbitrators and requested a jury trial.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 16-AR-523