Online Jury Case

General Background

In July of 2007, the Green family was involved in a motor vehicle accident involving Mr. Blue. Soon after the impact, a police officer arrived at the scene to investigate. After viewing the scene and speaking with witnesses, the officer determined that Mr. Blue was the cause of the collision for disregarding a traffic signal and for failing to stop at a red light. The T-bone impact resulted in $2,500 worth of damage to the Greens’ vehicle. The officer gave Mr. Blue a citation for the violation. While speaking with Mr. Blue, the officer detected the odor of alcohol on Mr. Blues’ breath. Field tests and a breath test were administered at the scene and Mr. Blue was arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. Mr. Blues’ blood alcohol content registered at .12, which is above the legal limit of .08 under Georgia law. Tom and Lacy Green and their 10 year-old son, Junior, were taken by ambulance to the local hospital. They each received treatment in the Emergency Room and had X-rays taken. They were released the same day and advised to follow up with their family doctor.

Claimed Damages

Tom Green, 49 years old, suffered with neck and back pain. Two days after the wreck he went to a chiropractor, who treated him for 20 visits. Tom did not break any bones or need any surgery but he did suffer with neck and back pain for about two months. He also missed one week of work. His damages are the following:

Lacy Green, 42 years old housewife, suffered a broken right arm. She is right handed. She also had a sore neck and back. She treated with an orthopedic doctor and a chiropractor after having a caste put on her arm at the hospital. She treated with the chiropractor for 17 visits and wore her caste 6 weeks. Her damages are the following:

Junior Green, 10 years old, suffered with pain in his neck, as well as a headache. He saw his pediatrician twice after his trip to the emergency room. His damages are the following:

Punitive Damages

Under Georgia law, a plaintiff can recover punitive damages when the defendant is under the influence of alcohol while operating a vehicle. Punitive damages are not intended to compensate the victim, but rather to punish the wrongdoer for his or her reckless conduct.