WEST VIRGINIA RECORD

WHEELING – A Wheeling law firm recently help secure a $200,000 verdict in an Ohio automobile accident case.

On March 6, a Belmont County, Ohio, jury returned the $200,000 verdict in a case heard by Common Pleas Court Judge Frank Fregiato for Kelsey Zeyer against State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company.

The case focused on a April 2011 accident in which Zeyer sustained injuries that resulted in chronic pain and spasms in her neck, shoulders and upper back. Her attorneys said she has experienced these symptoms consistently since the accident and is only able to obtain temporary relief from the symptoms through both chiropractic and medical care.

The individual who caused the wreck did not have sufficient insurance to fully compensate Zeyer for her injuries and damages and, therefore, Zeyer presented a claim to her automobile insurance company, State Farm, pursuant to the underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage benefits she had purchased from State Farm.

Bordas & Bordas partner Scott Blass said State Farm was not willing to pay a fair sum to Zeyer for her injuries and damages and the company tried to convince her to accept $4,000 as full settlement of her claims in advance of trial.

“It is even more unfortunate that her own insurance company forced her to go through the tremendous stress and anxiety associated with litigation in order to obtain the policy benefits for which a premium had already been paid,” Blass said in a statement. “It is unfortunate that Ms. Zeyer has continued to experience the rather severe symptoms she has been experiencing since the wreck.

“She is very happy with the medical care she is being provided because it does give her temporary relief. Understandably, she is not happy at all with the way her own insurance company has treated her by forcing her into extended litigation and causing her to incur substantial costs and expenses simply to collect the insurance policy proceeds to which she was entitled.”