A St. Clair County jury awarded a motorist $21,041.35 following a rear-end collision in O’Fallon.
Jurors reached a verdict in favor of plaintiff Jennifer Selph on May 22 in St. Clair County Associate Judge Julia Gomric’s courtroom.
The jury awarded Selph $9,208.98 for past medical expenses, $832.37 for past lost earnings, $5,000 for past pain and suffering, $2,000 for past loss of a normal life, $2,000 for future pain and suffering and $2,000 for future loss of a normal life.
Selph was represented by Hrant “Hud” Norsigian of Norsigian Law Office in O’Fallon.
Defendant Wesley J. Bell was represented by Tyler Beckerle of Zimmer & Associates in St. Louis.
Selph filed her complaint April 19, 2017.
According to the complaint, Selph was driving her vehicle eastbound on West Highway 50 in O’Fallon on June 24, 2016, at approximately 5:50 p.m. Bell was operating a vehicle directly behind Selph.
While passing the Wal-Mart Super Center and approaching Alice Drive, Selph allegedly began slowing her vehicle as two vehicles in front of her stopped for traffic.
Selph alleged Bell “was not paying attention to the roadway and allowed his vehicle to slam into the rear of plaintiff’s vehicle.”
Selph then struck the vehicle in front of her.
The plaintiff alleges the defendant failed to keep a proper lookout and failed to slow down, stop, swerve, or avoid striking Selph’s vehicle.
Selph claimed she suffered serious and permanent injuries, incurred medical expenses, became disabled and has been restricted in her usual activities. She also alleged her vehicle sustained frame damage and was declared a total loss.
Bell answered the complaint on June 14, 2017. He admitted he was negligent and that his negligence was the proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injuries.
The jury was only asked to decide on damages.
On Sept. 14, 2017, arbitrators found in favor of Selph and awarded her $26,300.
Bell rejected the award on Oct. 13, 2017, and requested a jury trial.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 17-AR-338